NATIONWIDE inquiries are under way into fake United States army passes, which could get bearers into military bases, a court heard yesterday.

Counterfeit currency was also circulating at American bases, including the top-secret spy station at Menwith Hill, near Harrogate, Simon Ostler, prosecuting, told the town's magistrates.

Mr Ostler said there were ongoing inquiries across the country into sophisticated offences of deception and forgery involving US Army identity cards, US dollars and travellers' cheques.

The police inquiries, which were being conducted from Selby, North Yorkshire, involved forces across Britain and in Arizona. An investigation was under way into more than 80 offences.

The court remanded Dennis Price, 39, of Grange Avenue, Harrogate, in custody to police cells until Wednesday accused of five offences which are said to have occurred in Harrogate on Thursday. One alleges making a false instrument - a US Army photo identity card in the name of Steve Hanna - with the intention of inducing others to accept it as genuine.

A second charge claims another false instrument, a £50 Mastercard travellers' cheque, was made by Mr Price to induce people to accept it as genuine.

Three further offences claim Mr Price drove while disqualified and without insurance in King's Road, Harrogate, and had possession of a lock knife with a three-inch serrated blade.

Defence solicitor Grahame Stowe did not make any application for bail