THREE peace campaigners accused of attacking the security fencing of a sensitive listening base with bolt coppers did it as a publicity stunt, a court heard yesterday.

The three women had a television crew, a photographer and a prepared press release outlining their action with them when they were arrested by Ministry of Defence police at the United States signals intelligence base at Menwith Hill, near Harrogate, prosecutor David Tucker told Harrogate magistrates.

The trio, Anne Lee, Helen John and Angie Zeiter have all denied a charge of criminal damage and John has also pleaded not guilty to attempted criminal damage.

Mr Tucker told the court the Crown's understanding from remarks made by the women when arrested was that the defence would centre around the issue of whether or not they had a lawful excuse for what they were doing.

He was not prepared to accept any argument that the trio had a lawful excuse for their actions. "Issues about international crime or anything like that going on at Menwith Hill will not be admissible. What I am saying is that this was a publicity stunt."

The women had been accompanied at the base on June 19 by a Yorkshire Television team and a photographer and when Lee was searched a press release was found.

Any attempt to introduce evidence about activities at the base would be opposed.

Presiding magistrate John Metcaife granted an adjournment until October 30.