PROTESTERS today voiced concerns after reports that a senior US military figures stated Britain could become the home for America's controversial "Son Of Star Wars" defence system.

Campaigners against the use of the Menwith Hill and Fylingdales bases in North Yorkshire plan to step up their activities in case of a possible threat of missile interceptors coming to this country.

It comes after the head of the US Missile Defence Agency, Lt Gen Trey Obering, revealed Britain was being considered as one of three potential sites in Europe to host the so-called Global Defence Shield.

Protesters say the system, far from defending Britain, would make people living in the area a target for terrorists wanting to wipe out the American capabilities.

Denise Craghill, of Fulford, York, who protests outside the bases on behalf of the CND, said: "These weapons are aggressive and make it considerably more likely that we will become a terrorist target.

"Anyone out there who wants to use nuclear weapons would first think of attacking these bases.

"Both Menwith Hill and Fylingdales are already being expanded, and I believe that is because of the Son Of Star Wars programme."

Joyce Pickard, of York Quakers, which holds meetings at alternate bases on the first Saturday of every month, said: "We would be completely against any expansion which would be aggressive towards other nations and be part of America's plan to dominate the world."

She said Quakers' Campaign For The Accountability of American Bases, which meets at Menwith Hill every Tuesday, was protesting against the secrecy surrounding the base and the fact it remains in Britain without being reviewed.

Veteran campaigner Helen John said the bases, which are already Britain's prime terrorist targets, would be the "eyes and ears" of the new satellite system and so the main focus of an attack.

"This will change the complexion of how wars are carried out in future," she said.

"America is putting in place a system where it can dominate and control everything from space."

She is planning to step up protests and hopes to organise a major event at Menwith Hill in December 2007 - the 25th anniversary of 30,000 women meeting at Greenham Common.

British officials have insisted nothing has changed since two years ago, when then Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said a decision to base missile interceptors in Britain would be open to scrutiny and debate.

An MOD spokesman said: "America has not yet decided to place interceptors in Europe, has not yet asked for further British participation, and the government has not yet decided whether or not to pursue missile defence for the UK."

Updated: 09:34 Saturday, March 25, 2006