MARCH 17: PEACE protesters have been continuing to gather at a camp outside Gate 10 of RAF Fairford as the threat of war looms large.

And one man gave a public display of defiance against imminent military action by burning his American passport in front of the American B-52 bombers stationed at the base.

James Derieg of Kemble, but originally from Los Angeles, decided to torch his valid passport as a repudiation of his citizenship as war with Iraq looks increasingly likely.

He has promised to send photos and an explanation of his act to the US State Department this week.

Yesterday, Mr Derieg, 40, said: "This is a symbolic sign of protest because I think we should back off at the moment. Let's go back next year and have a war, but now we should be trying to deliver Saddam Hussein before the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague.

"My opposition to the US Government's policy in Iraq merely compliments the long and sad list of terrible US international initiatives. However, it is the current policy with regard to Iraq that is particularly misguided and wrong.

"The American people remain decent and freedom-loving like every other nation in the world and no action aimed at harming American people can ever be condoned."

Mr Derieg left America in 1983, has been a naturalised British citizen for two years and works as a substance misuse advisor.

On Saturday five of the 14 long-range B-52 bombers stationed at RAF Fairford left the base on practice bombing sorties off the North East coast of England, heightening the belief among peace protesters that war is imminent.

A movement called Cruise Watch, formed during the deployment of American cruise missiles from Greenham Common in the 1980s, has reformed and is now monitoring the activity of B-52s at RAF Fairford round the clock.

Cruise Watch member Di McDonald said: "We've successfully monitored the movement of aircraft. When they leave Fairford armed then we know they're bound for Iraq and the war will have started."

Meanwhile, two peace protesters arrested after allegedly breaking into the airbase and damaging B-52 bomber support vehicles said they would claim "lawful excuse" at their next court appearance.

Writer Dr Margaret Jones, 54, of Bristol, and self-employed Arthur Milling, 57, of Birmingham, are in custody after being arrested by Military of Defence police on Thursday. Both are charged with conspiracy to commit damage, criminal damage and aggravated trespass, but have said they will plead not guilty when they appear at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday.