A campaign to save the North’s only RAF base from possible closure has got off to a flying start.

The Journal in Newcastle is campaigning to save RAF Boulmer in Northumberland – one of four bases under threat in a top level review – and more than 3,000 readers have so far signed a petition backing the paper’s fight.

Support for its Keep Boulmer Flying campaign has been pouring in since it revealed that Boulmer was one of four RAF stations being examined under a Strike Command review which could see one or more completely or partially closed.

Editor Ged Henderson said: “Boulmer is extremely important to the economic well-being of that part of the world and the search and rescue people do a fantastic job. It is an important service which we are concerned could be lost.

“There’s been a lot of local support and we seem to have hit a nerve. We’re hoping we can get the message get across to the powers that be.”

RAF Boulmer is home to more than 700 servicemen and women, and as well as providing life-saving search and rescue helicopter cover for the the region it also brings an estimated £4m into the local economy.

The MoD says no decisions about the future roles of the Strike Command stations have been made, and the study is expected to take several months to complete.

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