An arms fair taking place in London this week will be run for the last time by its current owner Reed Elsevier, which is putting it up for sale. Campaigners say they believe it may be the beginning of the end for the military exhibition.

Campaigners have welcomed the news that leading academic publisher Reed Elsevier will no longer organise arms fairs.

Academics, medics and students will demonstrate outside the Annual General Meeting of Reed Elsevier in London today, urging the company to end its arms fairs.

A major charitable trust has disposed of a £2 million shareholding in the company Reed Elsevier, because of its concerns over the company's involvement in promoting arms sales, reports Quaker Peace and Social Witness - part of the Society of Friends in the UK.