Lyneham has been saved as a military base, defence secretary Liam Fox has announced.

The base, which is to close as an RAF centre in October next year, will be replaced by a defence training facility.

No further details were given by Dr Fox but the news is sure to be a huge boost to the local community, where there were fears the base would be left derelict after the closure.

Eddy Shah’s ‘Plan B’, a proposal to buy the site and build houses, colleges and a theme park, now looks like it will not be needed.

The move will see 1,500 people move in initially and that number will increase over time. The facility will be set up by 2013/14, leaving only a year-long gap between the RAF moving out and the new personnel moving in. North Wiltshire MP James Gray said it was very good news for the area and that the plan would be very warmly welcomed by local people. Dr Fox said: “I’m delighted (Mr Gray) is so happy at the announcement and also particularly pleased given the phenomenal service of those who have served at Lyneham and those who have lived around the facility.”