A CALL has been made for an open debate on future developments at RAF Fylingdales following newspaper reports that American interceptor missiles could be based there.

Liberal Democrats on North Yorkshire County Council warned on Wednesday that any siting of ''Son of Star Wars'' technology at the early warning base on the North York Moors near Whitby, where radar is being upgraded, would make the county more vulnerable to attack by enemies of America.

Conservatives accused Liberal Democrats of unnecessarily worrying local people with their claims at the quarterly council meeting.

It was finally agreed, however, that the authority should press Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram to state specifically whether there were any plans for further development beyond the radar upgrade or for any change of use, including deployment of missiles, at Fylingdales.

Members also urged the Ministry of Defence to reaffirm its commitment to consultations with local authorities and residents on issues concerning the 41-year-old base.

Three days before the appearance of the first report concerning missiles earlier this month, the MoD reiterated in a letter to the North York Moors National Park Authority that there were no plans for major developments at Fylingdales.

But Coun Caroline Seymour, a Liberal Democrat member of the county council, claimed that documents placed in the House of Commons library by Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon supported reports that there had been talks with the Pentagon as well as detailed studies into where missiles would be stationed.

She added: ''This debate should be brought out into the open for the implications of siting these missiles in this country and in Europe. We have a community responsibility.

''Don't be naive about the MoD statement. We need to be pro-active in fighting for our communities and we don't want these missiles foisting on them.''

Council leader John Weighell, who has sought an assurance from Mr Ingram on the future of Fylingdales, said Liberal Democrats were unnecessarily worrying local people because their claims were based not on fact but on newspaper speculation.

Coun Seymour said: ''We should be reacting to genuine concerns brought up by the Press, which would not have published this story without supporting background information.''