EVESHAM anti-war protester, Katherine Holcombe went on trial at Gloucester Crown Court yesterday charged with criminal damage to RAF Fairford's main gate.

The 42-year-old from West Street was jointly charged with Geoffrey Cornock, 46 of Cardiff and Owen English, aged 20 of Oxford.

The three were among protesters who demonstrated outside a Gloucestershire airbase which hosted the giant American air force B52 bombers during the Iraq conflict.

They all pleaded not guilty to pulling down the main gate on February 23. Cornock has also denied going equipped with a pair of wire cutters. Video film showing a 'mass invasion' of the high security British airbase was shown to the court jury.

Prosecuting, Mr Peter Blair said: "Many of them were wearing white paper suits, plainly pretending they were weapons inspectors." Mr Blair claimed the video identified the three defendants pushing and pulling the gates and heaving on ropes which eventually burst them open. Once the protesters broke open the six feet six inches tall barrier, all three were seen to dash in, led by English, alleged Mr Blair.

Earlier Recorder Martin Ford QC checked that the panel from which the jury was selected did not have any connection with RAF Fairford and had not joined any anti war protests.

He warned: "This court will not be a forum for political debate or for the expression of political views unless they are relevant to this case."

The trial, expected to last three days, was adjourned until today. The first witness will be squadron leader Ivor Harris, the RAF officer in charge of the based which is leased to the United States Air Force.

There was a huge police security operation around the base in the run up to the war and during it and numerous protesters were arrested for alleged damaged and disorderly behaviour.

The case continues.