Councillors told Mr Ingram they were worried about the future

More than 400 uniformed personnel are being transferred to RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire.

The Station Commanding Officer Graham Howard says that could happen within the next year to 18 months.

The minister Adam Ingram says he thinks the site is attractive to some firms who might want to take over services.

'Learnt things'

Most of the civilian staff are employed in distribution, supply and the engineering services.

Mr Ingram met workers, union officials and borough councillors, who told him they were worried about what impact job transfers and losses would have on the area.

But he told BBC Radio Stoke it will be some time before he can say what will happen.

He added: "I've learnt things during this visit.

"But I want answers to some of the points that other people have been raising about the importance of the future ownership of the engineering wing within the Ministry of Defence.

"On the distribution side of it, that is coming to a conclusion probably about March next year when I (will) get the report as to what the conclusions are to that."

The visit was organised by Stafford's Labour MP David Kidney.