LOCAL people concerned about the future of RAF Odiham are preparing to fight against possible closure.

As an established part of the community not only do they want the airbase to stay in Odiham but they firmly believe that, in military terms, it would be Òvery dangerousÓ for the Ministry of Defence Òto put all its eggs in one basketÓ.

News of possible closure first broke in October last year, just months after RAF Odiham had been declared a Òkey baseÓ for the newly formed Joint Helicopter Command (JHC).

According to a spokesperson at the time, a feasibility study was being carried out to consider what savings could be made by closing one of two bases in the UK - Odiham was one of them and Dishforth in Yorkshire the other.

If Odiham should close the recommendation is that the Chinook helicopter squadrons based there should be transferred to a naval base at Yeovilton in Somerset.

While the sale of the Odiham base is thought to be worth £500m, speculation locally is that its release could be seen as fortuitous in an area under government pressure to find more sites for development.

Keen to evaluate public opinion on the matter, Hart District Council held its first ever themed debate recently following which a motion Òto support the continued use of the military base at OdihamÓ was carried by a majority vote.

Since then council leader David Simpson has written to Tony Blair, his war cabinet and the MOD outlining why the airbase should stay.

Mr Simpson writes: ÒOdiham is unique in that it is one of the few bases in the country where there is very little in the way of complaint or concern over aircraft noise and flying activity - indeed, the community is proud to have the RAF in its midst.

ÒFurthermore, RAF personnel and their families are fully integrated into the community at Odiham and are valued for their contribution to the local life. Likewise, we believe they feel supported by their community and feel at home here.

ÒAt an uncertain time like this we feel that the young men and women who will be putting their lives on the line for our country should be given every support and a sense of security at home.Ó

At the public meeting serious concern was expressed by both councillors and the public that it was considered Òvery serious, in military terms, for the MOD to put all its eggs in one basketÓ.

ÒWe believe, as loyal subjects of Her Majesty, that we have a duty to bring to your attention the danger to the realm inherent in consolidating military bases for short-term financial gain.

ÒHistory has shown that this is always the more expensive option in the longer term as we have to rush to put things right.

ÒWe have all witnessed the damage that can be done by a terrorist attack, with just three planes, and are concerned to think that our military bases may be so few and far between that a single attack could disable our defences.Ó

A decision on the future of RAF Odiham is expected imminently.