CAMPAIGNERS have called for the United States Air Force to fund a study into whether radiation from a controversial North Yorkshire military base causes cancer.

The final results are expected soon of an air force-funded investigation by a biological research firm to determine whether a similar base - PAVE PAWS, in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in the USA - is dangerous to local residents.

PAVE is a program name for electronic systems used by the air force, while PAWS stands for Phased Array Warning System - the same kind of radar as that in use at RAF Fylingdales as part of the United States' missile defence programme.

Campaigner Jackie Fearnley of Fylingdales Action Network (FAN), who lives in nearby Goathland, said: "I think that the U.S. themselves should fund the study.

"The relationship is that this is something for their use but we are the ones having to live with it. The more I think about it, either the U.S. Government or the U.S. Air Force should be paying for a study so that (Ryedale people) know that our health is being taken care of."

In June a short-term study carried out by Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust found there was no link to suggest that the radar emissions had carcinogenic properties.

However, the Ministry of Defence refused to set up a long-term epidemiological study around the controversial listening post because it monitors its own emissions and does not believe there is any need for further studies. The Ministry said it was a matter for the Department of Health and local health authorities.

Mrs Fearnley said the results from the study at Cape Cod could help people living inside the beam of the North York Moors base.

By comparing maps of disease rates across Cape Cod with measurements of the radar beam, the International Epidemiology Institute will try to gauge whether there is any correlation.

"It's a good place to start from. It's a priority to get independent measurements made on emissions in a variety of places around the base.

"We can compare the emissions and gradually people will get to know about the effects of this type of radar," said Mrs Fearnley.

Updated: 09:42 Tuesday, January 06, 2004