Flying circuits being trialled by an RAF base look likely to be scrapped after six months following complaints from residents.

Hambleton District and Harrogate Borough councils suggested a change to the flying patterns at RAF Linton-on-Ouse earlier this year in a bid to spread them more geographically.

The base agreed to implement the changes from April on a 12-month trial basis, which was to be reviewed after six months.

But residents and parish councillors, who had not been in the flight path before, objected and complained to the council.

Members of Hambleton council's cultural and social overview and scrutiny committee carried out an interim review, visiting the base and surrounding area and studying the noise diaries kept by local people.

They also heard evidence from parish councils, a pressure group, local district councillors, the RAF and council officers.

The committee concluded that the trial should be stopped and flying circuits returned to their former patterns, which take the aircraft to the north of the airfield. It will make its recommendations to the council's cabinet next month.

The committee chairman, Councillor John Coulson, said: "The scrutiny committee has looked at all the evidence and decided that a return to the old system is the best course of action.

"We believe that our recommendation to return to the old flying circuits is in the best interests of the majority of the residents."

Group Captain Dave Harrison, Linton's station commander, said: "Earlier this year, Linton agreed to implement the trial option favoured by the two councils.

"Once the cabinet has made its decision about circuit directions, we will comply with the recommendation."

The flying circuits were first changed so that aircraft were flown to the north of the base in 1990, when the Jet Provost was replaced by the turbo propeller Tucano.

The change led to a pressure group being set up by residents and businesses to campaign for a return to the old circuits, which spread flying around the base.

Discussions between RAF Linton, Hambleton District Council and Harrogate Borough Council led to the trial.