WORK at a top secret spy base is driving motorists mad.

Residents within a ten-mile radius of the RAF Fylingdales base on the North York Moors are becoming increasingly irritated by the screaming of car alarms and disturbance on their television sets.

More expensive car makes, such as BMW and Mercedes seem the worst hit, said Bill Pairson, a car park attendant in the nearby village of Goathland.

He said: "There was a motorbike alarm screaming all afternoon recently and the rider didn't have any breakdown cover. I asked a friend in the village with a trailer to tow the guy away.

"As soon as they got out of range of Fylingdales, the alarm stopped and he was able to ride off."

Radar signals used to gather intelligence cause the problems because they operate at the same frequency as some alarms and immobilisers.

Bikes have to be pushed along the roads and car recovery companies called out so vehicles can be taken out of range of the signals and started.

A local farmer said she had noticed the problem for more than five years. She said: "It affects the television sets and we all have to have boosters fitted."

Jackie Fearnley, of Brereton Lodge, Goathland, said: "A lot of the tourists get stuck here. The problems always occur when they return to the cars and find they can't get anywhere because the engine won't start.

"We should have some proper information about these signals. If they have the power to affect alarms and televisions, then it is only natural that we want to know more about them."

Fylingdales spokesman Wing Commander Chris Knapton said military police knew of the problem, but insisted it was not down to the base to resolve it.

He said: "The radars work on well known frequencies and most car manufacturers take that into account."