Minister to hold Moray RAF base concern talks

RAF Kinloss has been a major employer in the local area for many years

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore is to visit Moray, amid fears for the future of the area's two RAF bases.

There are concerns RAF Kinloss or Lossiemouth could close and community leaders called for a meeting.

Their future has been the subject of intense speculation as the government works on a wide-ranging review of Britain's defence capabilities.

A Scotland Office spokesman said the minister was already planning to visit Moray in the coming weeks.

The spokesman said: "The secretary of state has signalled his clear intention to listen and engage across Scotland ahead of the strategic defence spending review and is fully aware of the importance of defence to Scotland's economies and the communities in which they are situated."

Dozens of jobs have already been lost at RAF Kinloss due to the withdrawal of the Nimrod MR2, which was taken out of service a year early.