Thousands rally over threatened RAF base

Residents of a small Highland community have turned out in their thousands to march in support of a closure-threatened RAF base.

A high-profile campaign was launched to save RAF Lossiemouth in Moray amid fears that its fleet of fast-jet Tornados could be moved to England as part of the ongoing Westminster defence review.

The region has already been struck a blow with the cancellation of the new generation of Nimrods, which is likely to threaten nearby RAF Kinloss.

A report produced for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) earlier this year estimated the annual economic contribution of the bases, said to support 5,700 jobs, at more than £150 million.

On Sunday afternoon, a pipe band led thousands of supporters including ex-servicemen and their families on a march through the streets of Lossiemouth to a rally at Grant Park, home of the local football club.

They received cross-party support with the attendance of First Minister and SNP leader Alex Salmond, and the leaders of Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats in Scotland, Iain Gray, Annabel Goldie and Tavish Scott.

Also taking part was Colin McGregor, the brother of actor Ewan McGregor and a former Tornado pilot who served at RAF Lossiemouth.

Earlier, Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said he was "sensitive" to the needs of Moray and suggested bases could be used to accommodate soldiers returning from Germany - though he insisted no decisions had yet been made.