In conjunction with Keeping Space for Peace Week, Network members Jackie Fearnley and Tricia Griffin handed over a letter to Wing Commander Nicky Loveday of Fylingdales RAF Station protesting at the plans.

The letter was part of international demonstrations by similar groups throughout the world.

It said: "It is very hard for people to grasp the far-reaching implications of this plan, but its aim has been spelt out in various policy documents – that it will enable the Americans to achieve full military control of land, sea, air, space and information.

"To achieve such control, the Americans need to be able to make themselves immune from attack and protect the satellites they have in space.

"We in Fylingdales Action Network are particularly disappointed that RAF Fylingdales has now become fully integrated into this scheme, a decision that has been made without the properly informed consent of the British people and no proper parliamentary debate.

"Accommodating a vital part of the Americans' missile defence system here on the North York Moors will make us a more likely future target and not enough is known about the long-term health effects of the type of radiation we are being exposed to.

"We are not being given information about any emergency provision being made in case of an incident at Fylingdales.

"The dangerous plan to base interceptor missiles in Europe will mean that anyone anywhere in the region will have to face the possible scenario of warheads carrying nuclear material being brought down on them at any moment.

Later, Mrs Fearnley, who is from Goathland, told the Gazette: "We are particularly concerned about the possible long-term health effects to local people and would be pleased to hear from anyone who is also concerned about this or any of the other issues in the letter."

In response, Wing Cdr Loveday said she was not in a position to reply to queries about government policy.

"The letter needs to be directed to the Ministry of Defence for a statement on government policy.

"The questions in the letter are primarily related to policy and United States' nuclear weapons and I am certainly not authorised to answer any of those questions," she said.

l MRS Fearnley can be contacted on (01947) 896481.