PROTESTERS who stormed a top security US spy base in North Yorkshire have ended their occupation.

Greenpeace's two-day demonstration at the Menwith Hill base, near Harrogate, ended late last night as the final two protesters descended from a radio mast and surrendered to MoD Police.

Supporters say they are delighted with the success of their campaign at RAF Menwith Hill, which is rumoured to be the European heart of US President George W Bush's "Son of Star Wars" missile defence system.

Protester Andy Tait said: "The whole purpose of this event was to expose the role that Britain will play in the Star Wars programme and we have done that to great effect."

The occupation began at 5am on Tuesday when about 100 Greenpeace campaigners, many dressed in nuclear-missile costumes, stormed the base.

Greenpeace spokeswoman Louise Edge said the group would not rule out mounting a similar protest at the base in future.

Meanwhile, during the weekly Prime Minister's Questions session in the Commons yesterday, former minister Chris Mullin branded "Son of Star Wars" a "madcap scheme" and urged Mr Blair not to support it.

But Mr Blair said: "I don't agree that the Americans are wrong to identify weapons of mass destruction as a genuine threat, they are. We need to be prepared to look at all systems that are necessary."

Updated: 11:29 Thursday, July 05, 2001