'Vindicated', that is what campaigners are claiming after the MOD gave the order to cease firing missiles for the first time in their 45-year history at ADR Manorbier after monitoring equipment detected the firing was breaking the noise limits, as defined by the MOD's own guidelines. The order to stop firing was given just before lunchtime on Sunday after recordings by monitoring equipment put in place as a condition of night-firing proved the MOD were breaking their self-imposed limit of 130 decibels. Spokesman for the No, to the Manorbier Missile! campaign group, Chas Cochrane, who has been campaigning for 15 years since the introduction of the High Velocity Missile system, said: "We have been complaining to the MOD, Pembrokeshire County Council, our MP and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority that the MOD has been breaking the noise nuisance threshold level of 65dBs for years and have constantly campaigned to have permanent monitoring equipment put in place. "It has come as no surprise to the group that these figures, which are the first to be recorded in less favourable weather conditions, prove what we have said all along. "We welcome and applaud the fact that the MOD ceased firing, but really what choice did they have, we have been totally vindicated," he added. "The MOD have provided the data themselves and we feel it is now the appropriate time for all concerned to get round the table and discuss the outstanding issue of permanent noise monitoring for daytime firing and reducing the noise levels to a reasonable level below the threshold of a noise nuisance.   "We as a group would like to make it clear we fully support the training of British troops. However, we maintain that Manorbier is no longer a suitable site and this new evidence supports that claim. "There are alternative sites both in this county and abroad which must now seriously be considered for this training." concluded Mr. Cochrane, who pointed out that firing had been suspended on three days out of six and the reserve night firing scheduled for yesterday (Thursday) had also been cancelled. UNDER FIRE

Meanwhile, the MOD has certainly been under fire at Manorbier this week. Claims have also been made that people's lives were being put at risk by large MOD and its contractors vehicles driving through the centre of the village. Apparently, a convoy of four HGV low loaders drove through the village on Friday, causing concern to residents. A complaint has been made to the council, Nic Ainger MP and the MOD about this incident.