BUSINESSES in and around the Midlands are set to converge on Malvern for a defence fair.

The Three Counties Showground is playing host to the Three Counties Defence and Security Expo, which sees businesses ranging from cyber security to aerospace, law enforcement and the military, gather to focus on how science and technology can strengthen security and defence nationwide.

Exhibitors will be demonstrating the latest in cybersecurity, wearable technologies, space engineering, secure communications and advances in CBRN (Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence) defences.

The event takes place on November 3 and 4 and will welcome SMEs based locally and working to strengthen the UK’s defence capabilities as well as large organisations such as BAE Systems, Thales, Lockheed Martin and Hewlett Packard.

The Speaker Selection Panel will include presentations from Air Commodore Steve Bentley (MoD), Brett Lovegrove (Valentis Bridge), Lindsay Whyte (Constella Intelligence), Miriam Howe (BAE Systems) and Hinesh Mehta (The Cyber Resilience Centre).

Richard Morgan, president of 3CDSE, said: "It is with a mixture of relief and excitement that we prepare to welcome everyone to the Three Counties Defence and Security Expo.

"The event is the leading Expo for the special user group of the UK defence and security industry.

"The aim of this event is to promote business-to-business networking with key decision-makers and to share and amplify innovative thinking and ideas within the industry.

"This will be only our fourth expo, so it is quite astonishing to see more than 130 exhibitors including Primes and SMEs as well as representatives from the MoD, DASA and the United States Department of Defence, to whom we extend a warm welcome.

"The emergence of Regional Defence and Security Clusters signals even greater opportunities for us to create successful networks and we look forward to launching the 3CRDSC at the event."

In previous years, a campaign group has called for the event to be cancelled.

Malvern Individuals for Peace has protested outside the showground against what it says is an arms fair.

Despite this, 3CDSE maintains it supports jobs in Worcestershire as well as helping businesses and government organisations stay secure at a time when cyber warfare is becoming more prominent.