Moray RAF bases campaign 'having an impact'

It is feared RAF Lossiemouth's Tornados may be moved to RAF Marham

The campaign to save the RAF bases at Lossiemouth and Kinloss is having an impact, an MP has said.

Moray MP Angus Robertson claimed decision-makers would be realising the impact closing both of the area's bases would have.

His comments followed newspaper reports that RAF Leuchars in Fife could be "sacrificed" to save RAF Lossiemouth.

The Ministry of Defence said no decision had been made regarding the future of the bases.

The UK government announced in October it was cancelling the next generation of Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft.

The decision has placed the future of RAF Kinloss in doubt, and there are also concerns for RAF Lossiemouth if it loses its Tornado fleet to RAF Marham.

A task force was set up in a bid to safeguard thousands of defence jobs in Moray as a result.

Mr Robertson told BBC Scotland: "I suspect that there's a growing view in Whitehall that the closure of two bases in Moray is economically catastrophic.

"It shows that the campaign is having some resonance with decision-makers who understand the facilities are excellent."