A NATIONAL campaign fighting the proposed Son Of Star Wars defence system will protest in North Yorkshire next month.

The Campaign For Nuclear Disarmament (CND) will demonstrate at RAF Fylingdales on June 5. Protesters aim to raise awareness of alleged radiation risks posed by the radar base by arriving in white boiler suits and taking measurements.

The demonstration, held in conjunction with the Fylingdales Action Network, is part of a CND drive across the United Kingdom to fight plans by the United States for a missile defence network.

Campaigners say their action is in response to "increasing concerns that the base is emitting dangerous amounts of low-level radiation, thought to cause birth defects and developmental problems in children". The demonstration will be followed by a public meeting at the parish hall, in Hallgarth, Pickering, at 7pm,

Jackie Fearnley, of the Fylingdales Action Network, said: "Our government has agreed to the upgrade of Fylingdales for purposes of America's missile defence in spite of strong public opinion against the idea.

"Even now we don't know exactly what they have signed up to. Our concerns are on many levels and it is important that we continue to let the decision makers be in no doubt about our opposition to this crazy plan, which will endanger the safety of us all."

Neil Kingsnorth, of Yorkshire CND, said: "Fylingdales is one of the US's most strategically-important bases and is vital to their plans for a threatening, destabilising and completely unnecessary missile defence system.

"We're visiting as part of the tour to ensure the message that missile defence is a threat to the people of North Yorkshire is not forgotten. The UK Government may wish us to keep our eyes on the Middle East, but the real threat is just up the road."

The tour finishes in London on June 13.

Updated: 10:23 Thursday, May 22, 2003