Campaigners fighting to secure the future of RAF Lyneham said the government had ignored their concerns about the closure of the base.

Protestors claim Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has failed to consider a 12,000-signature petition calling for the base to remain open.

Campaigners fear the base could be closed if the home for the new airforce transport plane is transferred to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

In his first statement since the petition was submitted last month Mr Hoon said any closure would be subject to "detailed consultation".

Cuts not factor

Lyneham is one of three air bases included in a review by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Their future is being considered as a decision is made on where to base the new A400M transport plane, which replaces the Hercules.

Four Hercules squadrons are currently stationed at Lyneham and any decision to place the transport planes elsewhere would threaten future of the base.

In a letter to shadow defence minister James Gray, whose Wiltshire constituency includes Lyneham, Mr Hoon said any decision over the base was not motivated by money.

"The review is not driven by the need to make cuts in the defence programme, but is focussed on the strategic issues which will determine how best to deliver the defence output."

James Gray: "Significant development"

He said if any base were closed a "detailed consultative approach" would be carried out to establish the "economic impact in local areas".

Colin Quaife, part of the Save Lyneham group, said: "I am disappointed if, as it would appear, the petition has not been taken in to account.

"We've put our views over with the hope they will be listened to," said the former wing commander who was based at Lyneham.

"I just hope before the government takes action they do take seriously the implications of closure, of a lot of people being out of work."

New development

There are about 2,500 service personnel and 50 civilian staff based at Lyneham.

The cost-effectiveness study is also considering St Mawgan in Cornwall.

James Gray said: "There is one interesting comment which Mr Hoon made and that is the decision will be based purely on operational factors. It will not be taken to save money.

"That is a very significant new development."