Claims that 1,500 jobs could go at RAF St Athan in south Wales have been strongly denied by the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA).

The local MP John Smith said he had evidence the agency had considered ending repair work at the base altogether.

It was announced last week that 160 staff were to be transferred to another base in Hampshire and Mr Smith believes that is just the start.

"I have a diagram that comes from inside DARA that shows the new hanger at Cardiff Airport. It is a two-legged hanger with 45 bays for aircraft and facilities for only employing 1,500 people," said Mr Smith.

"There are persons working there worried sick about their future that came to me with these proposals."

Mr Smith - faced with denials of wholesale cutbacks - said he had seen another document within the past 24 hours, outlining a review of cost saving initiatives.

"These proposals should be discussed in the open, not behind closed doors," he added.

Armed Forces Minister John Spellar said that decisions had to made about whether to refurbish the existing ageing buildings at St Athan or looking elsewhere.

'No closure plans'

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, Mr Spellar did not rule out the possibility of a move to Cardiff Airport.

St Athan is the main repair and overhaul base for Britain's frontline combat aircraft.

As well as service personnel, 3,000 civilian staff are employed by DARA.

In a statement on Thursday, DARA insisted it had no plans to close any part of its operations, in Wales or anywhere else.

Last week, DARA spokesman Stephen Grove said there were no plans whatsoever to close RAF St Athan.

'Future role'

"Any suggestion to the contrary is speculative nonsense," said Mr Grove.

"There are approx 4,000 working at St Athan, around 3,000 of them are civilians working for DARA.

"We will continue to play a role in the future of south Wales.

"We have issued a statement to staff reassuring them on the position and regarding the business with jobs."