ACTIVISTS protesting against the “militarisation of space” stopped off in York during a 100-mile bike ride as part of their campaign.

The journey between Whitby and Harrogate, which was due to finish yesterday, was organised by Yorkshire CND and designed to raise awareness of the role two North Yorkshire bases, Fylingdales and Menwith Hill, play in the US defence programme.

The group fears the expansion of this system increases the risk of “a new Cold War” with Russia and China and has called for the bases to be “recycled for peaceful means”.

The group held public meetings in Pickering and York during the three-day ride, which joined up with a demonstration against US drone strikes at Menwith Hill organised by the Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases, as part of Keep Space for Peace Week.

Among those taking part were CND chair Professor Dave Webb, who also chairs Yorkshire CND, while Coun Andy D’Agorne, who leads City of York Council’s Green group, joined the cyclists to pedal between Malton and York.

More information is available at yorkshirecnd.org.uk or by e-mailing info@yorkshirecnd.org.uk