WOMEN peace protesters were arrested by military police after breaking into Menwith Hill US base in North Yorkshire.

Otley women Anne Lee and Helen John were among three protesters arrested on Monday after breaking into the base, near Harrogate, to highlight the vulnerability of the base to terrorist attacks.

They cut their way through an alarmed high-security fence with a pair of bolt croppers, and walked as far as a command centre before being caught by Ministry of Defence police with guard dogs.

Anne Lee said: "There is a threat of terrorist attacks at Menwith Hill, and local people are concerned about this.

"They've just spent thousands of pounds on an anti-intruder system which isn't secure at all.

The protesters, who have a camp set up near to the base, are campaigning against the American Star Wars anti-ballistic missile system.

They believe Menwith Hill will play an important role in controlling the system when it is in space.

Helen John said: "I'm doing this because I oppose the threat that Star Wars poses to the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and the Outer Space Treaty."

The protesters hope the case will go to court, which will give them the opportunity to call on important MOD officials and politicians to speak in public about the activities of Menwith Hill.