BRITISH workers at Menwith Hill are furious after their children were barred from the centre's nursery.

Around ten British employees at the American listening station have been given until June 1 to find alternative care for their children.

And they say not only do they feel like second class citizens but they will struggle to find other care in just two months.

The base, which is run jointly by the United States and the Ministry of Defence, says it has recently discovered that because the creche is run under American regulations it does not cover British children.

One parent, who did not want to be named, said she had one child at the creche.

She said that the creche, which is subsidised by the base, was one of the reasons why people might have chosen to work at Menwith Hill.

"We just feel like second class citizens. They must have known about this for years but they've given us just two months to get out. It's going to be very difficult to find somewhere else. All the nurseries have long waiting lists. I can see people leaving because of it."

Squadron leader Humphrey Vincent, RAF commander at Menwith Hill, said he had every sympathy with the families and efforts were being made to help them find alternative arrangements.

But he said the order had been given from higher up and that there was no alternative but for the British children to stop using the nursery.

"We very much regret it but it is for legal reasons and for the protection of Ministry of Defence employees.

"As a local employer we are mortified and we have worked very hard to work a way around it."

The nursery, called a child development centre, fulfils United States standards but is not covered by local

regulations.

"It is not covered by local UK law and British people do not have legal protection.

"Although there are high standards, some are different from UK standards.

"We are worried about our employees and whether it will endanger their future employment here."

He said there was no question of people being kicked out.

"We are trying to see if we can help them find other facilities."

Squadron leader Vincent said he and his US colleague were having meetings with the parents and were trying very hard to come to an

agreement - including an increase of the notice period.

Otley town councillor John Eveleigh, chairman of the Menwith Hill Forum, said it was a poor

public relations exercise for the Americans.

"I would hope that the local council will take the case up for these families.

"It is a very poor do, again local people are affected. "