A YORK Green councillor said his arrest for obstruction during protests at North Yorkshire spy base Menwith Hill will not stop him opposing "belligerent" US and British policies.

But Mark Hill, who was also arrested at the US base last June, fears a third arrest may see him charged, rather than formally cautioned.

In total 28 were arrested during yesterday's "block the base" demonstration, which marked one year since the second invasion of Iraq.

The first protesters were arrested at 7am as they attempted to disrupt the base by blocking vehicles and gates. The last person was released at 7pm.

Mr Hill, freed from Northallerton Police Station at 3pm, said: "I still feel very strongly about this issue. I have been involved with CND since 1980. This is an outrage. Trillions of dollars are spent on sophisticated listening equipment to feed America's paranoia about nuclear war."

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said between 130 and 150 people attended the demonstration. Access was maintained at all times.

Of five arrested people at York Police Station, three were released, one cautioned and one charged with obstruction.

Updated: 09:21 Saturday, March 20, 2004