HUNDREDS of jobs could be saved if helicopters replace the fleet of Hercules aircraft at RAF Lyneham.

The base is due to close by 2012, prompting fears it will lead to many redundancies.

This week Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram said Lyneham is being considered for a helicopter base. Project Belvedere would see bases in Hampshire and Oxfordshire closed and the helicopters moved to Lyneham.

North Wiltshire MP James Gray said it was "pretty definite" the base would be re-used.

He said: "We have been very concerned for five years, since the original announcement was made the Hercules were going to leave. It would lead to huge numbers of redundancies and misery around the area.

"This announcement seems to indicate that the Ministry of Defence is almost definitely going to re-use it for a good purpose.

"Therefore there will be a lot of jobs that are saved. I don't know how many will be there, whether it's more, less, or the same, but it will hopefully remain an economically vibrant part of the area.

"It is definitely good news for north Wiltshire.

"Five years is a long time and there has been a lot of hard work behind the scenes with ministers and senior officers.

"There are downsides as well. Not everyone will like helicopters coming into the base because they make more noise than planes.

"There are currently 750 civilian workers, 3,500 service personnel and their families whose livelihoods depend on that base."

Mr Ingram said: "RAF Lyneham is being considered under Project Belvedere, a Joint Helicopter Command study, as a potential helicopter super base.

"Should JHC not have a use for this site, in accordance with normal procedures, it will be considered for other defence uses."

Malcolm Petch, chairman of Lyneham Parish Council, said: "Hopefully the jobs will be saved but we know nothing is confirmed.

"Obviously the helicopters will need service personnel and civilian workers, just as the Hercules fleet do.

"I worked at the base for 40 years and I don't think it will make a big difference whether it's helicopters or planes.

"One difference is they could divert the helicopters so they don't fly in over the houses, whereas you can't do that with aeroplanes."