'Star Wars' general visits base

Demonstrators are expected outside the base

A top United States general is visiting the Fylingdales early warning station.

Lieutenant General Ronald Kadish heads the project which is developing the missile defence system known as "Son of Star Wars".

The government has so far said that it has received no formal request from the US to use the North Yorkshire bases at Fylingdales and Menwith Hill in the development of the missile defence programme.

However, in a speech last week, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon gave his strongest signal yet Britain would allow the bases to be used.

Protest expected

He said missile defence was "in the interests of the UK and its people, just as much as it is in the interests of the United States".

General Kadish refused to comment on the purpose of his visit to Fylingdales.

"We depend on our allies for a lot of things and we will continue to do so, particularly with the UK," he told reporters.

Nevertheless his visit - described by the Ministry of Defence as an "informal, familiarisation visit" - is likely to be seen as a clear indication of US interest in using the bases.

Members of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament are expected to demonstrate outside the Fylingdales base when the general arrives.