THE Gazette and Herald shares the fears of North Wiltshire MP James Gray about the future of RAF Lyneham.

This base is far more than just home to RAF squadrons. For many people civilians and forces personnel alike RAF Lyneham is away of life.

The village of Lyneham would hardly exist if it was not for the base. And a much wider area is dependent on it as a much needed boost to the economy.

Many of the pupils in the village school are drawn from the children of RAF officers and it contributes massively to the community life of the area.

It might seem to some that this is not a serious threat to RAF Lyneham's future. Doubts about its existence have been raised in past but have come to nothing.

But, as Mr Gray points out, there is no point waiting until the Ministry of Defence has made a decision about where new aircraft are to be based and then mounting a campaign.

Now is the time for action and it needs to be a combined effort by base, village and district.

Those who want to see Lyneham continue to flourish and for the Hercules to continue to fly over Wiltshire now is the time to act.

Write to Mr Gray, write to the Gazette and write to the Ministry of Defence.Let the Whitehall mandarins know that Lyneham is part of Wiltshire and the county wants the RAF base to stay and prosper.