The government unit responsible for promoting British exports, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), is facing calls for an end to its role in the arms trade, as activists launch a new campaign to keep up pressure on the suthorities.

As the Spirit of Christmas Fair opened in London this morning, its owners Clarion Events faced ridicule over their complacent assertion that they were "entirely comfortable" with their recent purchase of arms fairs.

Campaigners against the arms trade are recruiting Christmas characters to embarrass organisers of a family exhibition who are also backing death-dealing weapons exports. They are invoking the real 'reason for the season'.

The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) has today written to the BBC over its part in the MPH motor show, which opens today in London and whose owners Clarion Events have recently purchased arms fairs.

An international watchdog which monitors corruption says the UK breached its obligations under international law when it cancelled a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation into arms deals between BAE Systems and Saudi Arabia.

Clarion Events, owners of the Baby Show which opened in London on Friday, are facing a backlash against their involvement in the arms trade. One of the Show's main sponsors, Bounty, has confirmed that it would not be exhibiting.

Clarion Events, organisers of exhibitions including the Baby Show and the Spirit of Christmas Fair, have announced their purchase of two arms fairs. This is in addition to the three arms fairs they bought in May 2008.

Campaigners have said they are confident that an appeal to the House of Lords this week, by a Government agency concerning corruption in the arms trade, will fail.

News that Britain may have become the world's largest arms exporter last year has been met by a warning from campaigners that the majority are still being sent to oppressive regimes.