IN reply to your article last week concerning residents in some parts of Trowbridge and districts being bothered by military transport aircraft on training routines late at night, here on the outskirts of Frome we have had the problem of military aircraft activities for years.

Every day of the week here we have to endure everything from training light aircraft from bases such as Colerne to Harriers and Hercules, helicopters and almost everything else that can fly.

Despite numerous complaints including contacting my MP, the situation remains extremely disturbing.

Apparently aircraft from anywhere can arrive here and carry out training manoeuvres.

We even had two jets from an airbase in Norfolk engaged in a dogfight over us last year.

No one would argue over the fact that the military needs to train its pilots to enable them to cope with airborne situations.

I do, however, feel that there are limits to where and when they should conduct their sorties.

I find it intimidating to have Hercules aircraft continually flying low over our rooftops.

Surely areas other than residential could be used, so causing minimum disturbance.

Last year the MoD were taken to the high court by an East Anglian couple whose lives were made miserable by Harrier jets from a nearby airbase. They were awarded damages and compensation to the tune of almost £1m.

It's time the MoD and their airbases realised that 'training' does not give them the right to ruin people's quality of life as they have done here.

Even a weekend is not exempt as a recent Saturday saw most of the day given over to Hercules from Lyneham giving pleasure flights over our area to family and friends from the base!

I don't know who footed the bill for these flights. The taxpayer?

I am sorry for people losing their jobs when Lyneham eventually closes, but I for one will definitely be glad to see the back of the Hercules.

It will certainly make a change from looking at the underside of them as they skim our rooftops.

GP SWEET

Frome.