The Bishop of Oxford, pictured holding a Kalashnikov assault rifle and with fake blood dripping through his hands, is taking part in a campaign to stop the British arms industry.

Since 1997 more than 1,000 tonnes of military equipment have been sent to war zones in deals brokered by British citizens.

But these brokers could escape new legislation designed to tighten restrictions on the arms trade.

Oxford-based charity Oxfam asked the Rt Rev Richard Harries to take part in its campaign to highlight the damage caused by the proliferation of firearms.

The message behind the campaign is that by ignoring the problem everyone has blood on their hands.

Bishop Richard said: "Images of people like myself with blood dripping from our hands brings home that guns bring suffering and weapons bring death.

"Britain has one of the biggest arms industries in the world, and we are major arms exporters. Thousands of people are killed every year as a result of arms.

"We may not be able to stop some of the international conflicts, but at least we can stop quite so many people being killed if we curtail the sale of arms."

Oxfam policy director Justin Forsyth said: "It's a crucial time because the Government will shortly be reviewing legislation in the Export Control Act and must be pressured to close the loopholes that allow British guns to be exported to the world's bloodiest conflict zones."

The Bishop has been joined in the campaign by celebrities including Helen Mirren, Tony Robinson and Julia Sawahla.