GEORGE W Bush was set to discuss Son of Star Wars with Tony Blair this afternoon - after the Evening Press had delivered its message of opposition to the two world leaders.

Chief reporter Mike Laycock handed yesterday's paper, with its uncompromising headline "NO to Son to Star Wars" to the American Embassy and Number 10 Downing Street.

He also delivered letters from editor Liz Page explaining the paper's position on the proposed missile defence shield system, which is likely to involve the North Yorkshire military bases at RAF Fylingdales and Menwith Hill.

She told President Bush the paper feared North Yorkshire would be turned into a prime nuclear target if the multi-billion dollar scheme went ahead.

She urged Tony Blair to withhold permission for the North Yorkshire bases to be used in the system.

Mr Blair has yet to state the Government's position on the scheme to shoot missiles, fired by so-called rogue states, out of the sky, despite coming under pressure from Labour colleagues to oppose the plan.

The American ambassador, William S Farish, was too busy preparing for the president's visit to receive the documents in person, and they were handed instead to security guards, who refused to be photographed.

President Bush arrived in Britain last night with his wife, Laura, at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, aboard the presidential jet Air Force One, accompanied by an entourage of advisers, secret service agents and the White House press corps.

President Bush said the visit would "confirm and renew" the strong relationship between the UK and the US.

"Not only will I have the honour of meeting with Her Majesty, I will also spend some quality time again with the Prime Minister," he said.

"We've got a strong personal relationship that is most helpful to making sure our countries continue the tie that binds."

The President was having lunch today with the Queen at Buckingham Palace after reviewing a guard of honour in the Palace quadrangle. Later he was due to hold talks with Tony Blair at Chequers.

- A raft of MPs have added their names to a Commons Early Day Motion opposing the controversial project as President Bush landed in the UK. The latest batch of signatories included Leeds MP John Battle, who was sacked as a Foreign Office Minister in the post-election reshuffle. The total number of MPs backing the motion, which voices "grave concerns" about missile defence, now stands at 264.

Updated: 16:54 Thursday, February 07, 2002