MANY people are deeply unhappy about plans to adapt RAF Fylingdales for use as part of the United States' National Missile Defence system (NMD). It would turn North Yorkshire into a nuclear target.

Tony Blair needs to know the strength of feeling against NMD. But it is important that he cannot dismiss this opposition as a "lunatic fringe".

That is why the decision to hold today's protest in Whitby is the right one. Flouting the foot-and-mouth restrictions to protest outside Fylingdales would only have damaged the campaigners' credibility. By switching venue, they have demonstrated an impressive sense of responsibility.

Updated: 10:20 Monday, April 16, 2001