CALL FOR MORE CLARITY ON MUNITIONS COMPANY

ACTIVISTS gathered outside Newcastle's Civic Centre to express anger at Newcastle City Council for denying their right to have their petition heard.

- By NICOLE GOODWIN

More than 5,000 people, including 2,964 Newcastle residents, have signed a petition calling on the council to enquire further about weapons being built at The Armstrong Works on Scotswood Road.

The site is owned by Pearson Engineering, which is part of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, a company incorporated in Israel.

Rafael is registered with the Government Companies Authority in Israel, and manufactures weapons used by the Israeli military, specialising in missiles systems. It is understood the Newcastle site produces armoured military vehicles and tanks, including armoured bulldozers.