THE future of one of the region's major RAF bases will come under the spotlight next week.

The long-term future of RAF Leeming, in North Yorkshire, is under threat. It is currently home to Tornado F3 jets, which are soon to be phased out.

Anne McIntosh, the Tory MP for the Vale of York, will meet Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram to discuss the future of the base.

The meeting follows Mr Ingram's announcement last month that the Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) - the replacement for the Harrier - will not be deployed at Leeming because it is too noisy.

Earlier this year, the base also found out it was not going to provide a home for the new Typhoon - the Tornado replacement. The base employs about 1,700 people.

Miss McIntosh said: "Those based at RAF Leeming, or about to be based there, are very concerned about the long-term future.

"The minister owes them some explanation as to why they have been considered for the Typhoon and ruled out for that, and considered for the JCA and now ruled out for that."