A REPORT has found no signs of a health risk from the facilities at RAF Fylingdales.

But critics, while welcoming the study, say it is "noticeably insufficient in key areas".

The investigation was ordered by the Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust (PCT) in the wake of concerns that radar emissions from the base could cause health risks. In partnership with the Northern and Yorkshire Cancer Registry and Information Service (NYCRIS), the trust undertook a study of cancer registrations between 1991 and 2000.

The review found that, for all cancers and for three of the four site-specific cancers - lung, female breast and colorectal - the rates for the wards around Fylingdales statistically were significantly lower or similar to the PCT area as a whole.

But the Yorkshire Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) said the investigation did not go far enough and is calling for further work.

Yorkshire CND development worker Neil Kingsnorth said: "We are glad that this study took place but only as a first step to further investigation.

"The report is useful but it falls far short of what is needed. Fylingdales poses a potential threat to health through the rare type of pulsed radiation and through the long-term effects of the radar's beam. The Government has a responsibility to fully investigate the whole spectrum of potential health effects of this type of radar, over the long-term and short term, and to study the type of radiation itself, which is little understood. This report has not done that."

The study concluded: "The currently available epidemiological research evidence does not support that there is a harmful effect to the public from low radio frequency radiation."

Both the PCT and Ryedale District Council have agreed that ongoing research was needed.

Ryedale MP John Greenway said: "It does show that there is no evidence of anything over the last ten years. I agree with Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale PCT and Ryedale District Council that we need to have continuing research. Some experts think that ten years is not long enough for results to be shown. The situation should be monitored."

Rillington ward county councillor Murray Naylor, who lives at Huttons Ambo, said: "I am delighted that the report has come up with such a positive response as to the dangerous implications in the enhanced radar facility. I hope people will have their fears eased by this."

Fylingdales Action Group campaigner Jackie Fearnley said the study looked at figures taken between 1991 and 2000, but the current phased array radar had only been installed in 1992. She said it was a good baseline for further studies to be built on.

She said: "I'm glad that John Greenway wants to keep researching it and I think that it's important to have a continual monitoring of the local population."

A PCT spokesman said the report showed that there was no cause for concern for residents near Fylingdales. The spokesman said: "It's not the job of this PCT to carry out long-term studies. That's why we have requested that the relevant national bodies consider the feasibility of doing that."

Ryedale District Councillor John Clark, who failed in a bid to have Ryedale District Council establish an inquiry into the base, said the report was "shallow and hasty", a claim denied by the PCT, and was amazed that it had been completed in just three months. Coun Clark said: "It is too hasty and not thorough. The research does not support a statement that the radio waves have a harmful effect, but it doesn't disprove it either."

Updated: 11:04 Wednesday, December 03, 2003