AIR safety investigators are calling on the RAF to fit its planes with new safety equipment following a near miss between a Tornado and a passenger plane over the North-East.

The incident, which happened last September just north of Hexham, Northumberland, involved an RAF Tornado and a 40-seater Dash 8 aircraft operated by Bryman Airways, a subsidiary of British Airways.

The aircraft flew within 600ft of each other, and disaster was averted only by a high-tech warning system installed on the passenger plane.

The RAF is working on a collision warning system and pilots have been told to keep in closer contact with air traffic controllers at Newcastle Airport.