An anti-war protest group will go ahead with a mass rally this weekend after ignoring warnings from the police.

Smash EDO campaigners and supporters will march through the centre of Brighton tomorrow and demonstrate outside Brighton Town Hall.

A heavy police presence is expected to monitor the march from The Level along North Road, Queens Road and Ship Street.

Sussex Police asked the group to discuss its route and plans so it could prepare adequate policing measures. The campaigners refused to talk.

Smash EDO spokesman Andrew Beckett said: "We are not negotiating with the police because we cannot trust them."

The force has warned that if it received no official notification of the protest it would investigate and prosecute protest organisers if it was considered necessary. The police ask for five days notice of marches and rallies to prepare for the events.

Mr Beckett accused the police of colluding with EDO MBM, the US firm his group wants shut down.

The police were criticised last month for the "excessive" number of officers monitoring a peaceful protest against Israel's treatment of Lebanon and Palestine.

The force said it had no way of knowing how many protesters would take part.

Sussex Police said yesterday it had concerns over the route Smash EDO had chosen and wanted to discuss it with the organisers. It involves marching against the traffic in North Road, a one-way street.

Police plan to negotiate with the organisers at the march.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "We want to facilitate the protest but also to ensure the safety of the residents of the city and minimise disruption to them."

Mr Beckett said the demonstration was intended to be entirely peaceful.

Smash EDO wants to close the Brighton factory owned by American firm EDO MGM, which makes parts for missiles used by the British, US and Israeli militaries.