THE Ministry of Defence has revealed it was a Turkmenistan Airforce fighter jet that struck a Hercules aircraft from RAF Lyneham in last month's mid-air smash.

In a statement, Defence Minister Adam Ingram said a single fast interceptor had collided with the British transport plane as it flew from Afghanistan to Rumania.

But he refused to release any more details on the incident, insisting a specialist RAF team should be left to complete a probe.

Turkmenistan authorities have also set up a board of inquiry, the Minister said.

No completion date has been given for either investigation.

Mr Ingram also confirmed details which had been reported about the crash,when a Russian-made MiG jet hit the C-130 transporter over Turkmenistan on May 22.

The RAF crew, based at Lyne-ham, had to shut down one of the giant plane's engines because a six-inch length had torn off two propeller blades.

No one was hurt but the plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Azerbaijan.

A small number of military passengers and three air crew were on board at the time.

The latest details were unearthed after questioning by North Wiltshire MP James Gray.

He has called for full details of the crash to be made public, after warning it could have been fatal.

Mr Gray said the incident had been potentially disastrous.

He also revealed sources had informed him two small attack jets had been flying together rather than the lone Russian-built fighter indicated by earlier reports.

The Tory MP, respected for his expertise in military issues, said: "This is a serious matter of concern. We need to know exactly what happened in this case and we need to know what has been done to make sure nothing like it happens again.

"It seems to be incredible luck that the incident didn't turn into a catastrophe."

Mr Gray insisted the MoD should not keep its inquiry into the crash secret because it involved his constituents.

"It is important for RAF crews and their families that we find out the truth," he said.

The British Embassy and an RAF board of inquiry are working with Turkmenistan authorities to establish how the collision happened.

The plane returned to RAF Lyneham on May 27. About 50 Hercules fly out of Lyneham and have played a key role in Iraq and Afghanistan, shipping out troops and equipment.