People living close to a Devon airport could be at risk in the event of a major incident, the Department for Transport (DfT) has said.

Three properties and part of a school in Clyst Honiton are now within a newly drawn-up public safety zone around Exeter Airport.

According to the DfT, the chances of being involved in a major incident are one in 10,000 within the specified area close to the end of the airport runway.

This figure is being queried by bosses of the airport, which saw 50,000 aircraft movements in 2001.

Increases flights numbers have been considered

The new safety zone has been created by the government because of increased amount of traffic to and from the airport.

Keith Walton from Clyst Honiton Parish Council said: "Suddenly, the risk is being quantified. The actual risk hasn't changed, but now we've got a figure put on this and we don't know what to do with it."

The new safety zone has been drawn up using a mathematical model which calculates a theoretical risk to those living close to the end of the runway.

Also taken into account are the number and types of planes using the airport, and any predicted increase at the number of flights.

Current data

At Exeter Airport, there is some uncertainty if the new guidance is based on current figures.

Geoff Myers from the airport said: "The figures on which the DfT based their work were figures and forecasts produced in 1996.

"From that point of view we're interested to see if they are appropriate to the current situation."

The DfT insists current data was used to define areas now considered to be at risk.