They have become something of a good luck talisman for Swindon.

The sight of Fat Alberts the nickname given to the Hercules aircraft passing noisily over the town has become so familiar that it would be difficult to imagine them disappearing.

But that is a very real possibility, according to North Wiltshire MP James Gray.

He today warns that RAF Lyneham's operations could be moved to RAF Brize Norton by 2008.

An announcement is due next year, but clearly Mr Gray believes it is time to speak up for the airbase.

He is absolutely right to be worried. The closure of the base would potentially leave 600 civilian staff out of work and 2,600 service personnel uprooted.

The effect on the village of Lyneham would be devastating rather like taking the Swindon railway works away from this town.

But there are also many businesses in Swindon which rely on Lyneham for trade, not to mention the civilians who live here and commute daily.

Now is the time to act to save the airbase by writing to Adam Ingram, the Armed Forces Minister.

RAF Lyneham has been on Swindon's doorstep for more than 60 years. The effect of its loss would be profound.