A DAY of national celebration in America could become one of protest for a group of campaigners from the North York Moors.

Across the Atlantic, millions will be enjoying a public holiday on July 4 to celebrate their independence from England.

But in North Yorkshire a group calling itself the Fylingdales Action Network is planning a demonstration against America's plans for a Nuclear Missile Defence system on the moors.

The group is joining forces with the West Yorkshire branch of CND and a group called the Campaign Against American Bases.

Jackie Fearnley, from FAN, said the day will start with a cavalcade of vehicles gathering at Menwith Hill for a procession around the base there at 10am.

"We will then proceed along the A59 to Whitby Tourist Information Centre where a declaration of 'Independence from America' will be read out," she explained.

"We will have displays of RAF Fylingdales and Menwith Hill at the TIC throughout the rest of the day.

"We will also be collecting signatures for a petition against George W Bush's plans for Star Wars.

"The day will end with a procession through Whitby with a model of Fylingdales and cheerleaders ending up on the beach."

Christine Thrope, a North York Moors resident and member of FAN, said the purpose of the day was to highlight the threat of Star Wars to North Yorkshire and world peace.

"China and Russia see Star Wars as a direct threat, our NATO allies, France, Germany and Italy have opposed it and 50 Nobel Prize winners have written to the US government calling for the project to be scrapped," she said.

"Putting a defence system in Menwith Hill and Fylingdales will make North Yorkshire a prime nuclear target.

"The events are designed to respect the current limitations of access to countryside due to foot and mouth," she added.

A spokesman from North Yorkshire Police said officers were aware of the protest but were not expecting any trouble.

"Officers will be in touch with the protesters throughout the day," he said.

Updated: 09:02 Monday, July 02, 2001