Five people are to stand trial accused of criminal damage at a weapons factory.

Claire Garcia, Christy North, Tea Southwell, Janina Smith and Reverie Menniss appeared at Canterbury Crown Court today (May 12) following a protest by Palestine Action at Instro Precision Ltd in Sandwich last year.

All pleaded not guilty to one offence each of damaging property on September 9 after entrances to the site at Discovery Park were blocked by vehicles and other areas daubed in red paint, which was said at the time by activists to symbolise "Palestinian bloodshed".

As manufacturers of military-grade electro-optical equipment, Instro is said by protestors to be a major exporter to Israel with its products likely to be used in ground operations in Gaza.

This morning, those arriving at the court building were greeted by a number of people gathered outside continuing to voice their disquiet at Instro as well as their support for Palestine while displaying banners and flags, banging drums and handing out leaflets calling for the eviction of Instro.

Garcia, 26, of Ilderton Road, New Cross, south east London, and Christy North, 37, of Nottingham Castle Marina, Castle Bridge Road, Nottingham, pleaded not guilty to damaging the ground and cabin at gate 'C' belonging to Instro Precision.

Tea Southwell, 22, of Clarendon Road, Reading, Berkshire, has denied damaging gate 'C' and surrounding area, while Janina Smith, 36, of St John's Road, Tottenham, north London, and 32-year-old Reverie Menniss, of Salisbury Road, Canterbury, pleaded not guilty to damaging a lobby and surrounding area.

Their trial, which is estimated to last eight days, will start on April 29 next year.

All five have been released on bail with a condition excluding them from Discovery Park.

In a statement at the time of the protest, an Instro Precision spokesperson said: "We will work with the authorities to prosecute any person or group threatening the safety of our staff or their important work.

"Our facility is designed to meet the requirements of the UK armed forces and in particular support the British Army with a range of state-of-the-art electro optics and night vision systems.

"It is highly irresponsible to attempt to sabotage this work, particularly during a period of global instability."