THE Ministry of Defence is to investigate an MP's warning that Durham Tees Valley Airport could be a terror target as its military use grows.

Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, has raised the alarm over security in the wake of the failed suicide bomb attack at Glasgow Airport.

The Labour MP suggested the increased use of Durham Tees Valley Airport to fly soldiers from Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, to Iraq and Afghanistan had enhanced its "appeal as a target".

During a Commons debate, Mr Kumar urged Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick to reinvestigate whether extra security was needed to prevent a repeat of the Glasgow attack.

He urged the MoD to use nearby RAF airfields instead of Durham Tees Valley - or, failing that, to fly at night, when fewer passengers were using the airport.

Recently, security experts warned that queues at airports - lengthened by increased security checks - could be a target for suicide bombers.

Mr Kumar said: "Durham Tees Valley has frequently been used for military charter flights for soldiers departing for, or arriving from, operational duties in the Middle East.

"That is hardly a military secret - the sight of troops in uniform marching through the departure lounge is a regular feature witnessed by many travellers.

"Is the security level at the airport sufficient for military use, given that its military use might enhance the airport's appeal as a target for terrorist attack?"

Mr Kumar said that both RAF Leeming and RAF Church Fenton airfields were less than an hour's drive from Catterick barracks.

He said: "If one of those airfields was available and suitable, it would provide a far higher level of security than a civil airport."

In reply, Mr Fitzpatrick said he was confident the MoD had discussed the level of security at Durham Tees Valley with its management.

But he added: "I shall pass his comments on to the MoD and try to ensure that he receives a response on this issue."

The former Teesside Airport has grown from handling 14,000 passengers in the Sixties to flying more than one million last year, as well as a large amount of freight.

Furthermore, a big extension and refurbishment of the passenger terminal is planned, to double the floorspace and handle three million travellers.

Three months ago, a major security alert - caused by an American tourist who left a suitcase in the check-in area - forced a full evacuation.

In his speech, Mr Kumar also questioned why there was a ban on taking cigarette lighters through airports, yet they could be bought in departure lounges after check-in.

Those lighters were sold alongside aerosols and alcohol - both of which could be ignited by them, he said.