First Minister Alex Salmond holds Moray RAF talks

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Alex Salmond
Image caption,

The task force and First Minister Alex Salmond discussed a plan of action

Representatives from the task force set up to fight for the future of Moray's RAF bases have held talks with First Minister Alex Salmond.

RAF Kinloss is set to effectively close after the order for new Nimrods was cancelled, and there are growing fears for the future of RAF Lossiemouth.

The task force and Mr Salmond discussed a plan of action to minimise the impact of the changes.

The MoD has insisted no final decision has been made on Lossiemouth.

It is feared the base's Tornado fleet could be transferred to RAF Marham in Norfolk, where engineering work for the aircraft is already based.

It has been suggested RAF Kinloss could be retained as a barracks for soldiers returning from Germany.

Defence sources have already said the troops would not arrive until about 2015 at the earliest.

Moray's two RAF bases contribute more than £150m to the local economy annually and support about 5,700 jobs, a report said earlier this year.

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