Six other peace protesters charged with offences at the air base where United States B-52 bomber planes were stationed during the war in Iraq also appeared in court.

Michael Heyman, 27, of Bedford Place, Brighton, was fined �50 and ordered to pay �50 costs. He was arrested on 26 January - before the war planes arrived.

Jeremy Chipperfield, representing Heyman, said he was demonstrating against the use of B-52 planes for an attack which he believed was "violent, unjustified and immoral".

Granted bail

Toby Olditch, 34, of Bullingdon Road, Oxford and Philip Pritchard, 32, of Campbell Road, Oxford denied conspiring to cause criminal damage at RAF Fairford, between 16 and 19 March.

They also denied having articles with intent to destroy or damage the runway and warplanes at the base on 18 March.

Mr Olditch and Mr Pritchard, who have been in custody since their arrests, were granted conditional bail.

Margaret Jones, 54, of Burlington Road, Bristol and Arthur Milling, 57, of Bristol Road, Birmingham also appeared at Gloucester Crown Court.

They had pleaded not guilty at an earlier hearing to conspiring to cause criminal damage.

'Legality of war'

Katherine Holcombe, 42, of West St, Evesham, who is accused of causing criminal damage by pulling down the main gates at the airfield. did not enter a plea.

Josh Richards, 29, of Belton Road, Bristol, denied attempting to cause arson to damage aircraft at the base, going equipped with intent to destroy or damage the property of the US Air Force and damaging the perimeter fence of the base on 18 March.

Fourteen B-52 bomber planes flew more than 100 missions from RAF Fairford to Iraq during the conflict in the Gulf.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC, talked to barristers about the case and considered the prospect of decisions on the legality of the war and the use of international law as a defence.

A further preliminary hearing is due to take place in September.

About 60 supporters of the peace protesters filled the public gallery and gathered outside the court with anti-war banners.