A U.S. spy base in North Yorkshire looks set to add another distinctive "golf ball" to the local landscape.

Military chiefs at Menwith Hill, near Harrogate, have applied to the town's borough council for permission to put its 30th "radome" in place.

Radomes are the golf ball-like covers used to shield equipment from view in the base, widely thought to be a central component in U.S. President George W Bush's Son Of Star Wars proposals.

They are to develop a system that would allow missiles launched by America's enemies to be shot from the air.

The application has immediately drawn opposition from campaigners.

Anni Rainbow, a leading protester against Menwith Hill, said: "The radome would have a dish inside which would suck in information from satellites.

"There are already 29 radomes on the site. This would be the 30th and it is something which we are opposed to."

She said opponents may write to Harrogate Borough Council to express concern about the application.

The Evening Press has opposed Son Of Star Wars because of concerns that it would turn the county into a prime target for states intent on attacking the West.

The U.S. this week carried out its third successful test of the controversial system.

Updated: 12:25 Thursday, December 06, 2001