SO RAF Lyneham has been torpedoed. The base, which has seen so many historic moments in its 63 year history, is to be run down over the next decade and will finally close.

When the news finally came last week it was hardly a surprise to anyone concerned.

There had been so many rumours in recent weeks that almost everyone on the base and in the village knew that the decision had gone against the Wiltshire base.

The Gazette has campaigned for almost two years for Lyneham to be spared.

We joined forces with North Wiltshire MP James Gray to rally support for the base that plays an integral part not just in the life of the village but the whole county.

Its importance was highlighted during the recent Iraq conflict and was acknowledged by visits from Prime Minster Tony Blair and Princess Anne.

But from the moment it was announced that the new carrier aircraft were to be stationed at Brize Norton it was clear that the writing was on the wall for Lyneham.

Of course, everyone had to remain optimistic that the base would get a reprieve and the men and women who work there continued to go about their duties in a professional fashion but little but vain hope existed.

Now we all have to look to the future and back plans that are possibly already in the pipeline to give Lyneham some sort of future.

It will not be as as an RAF base but it could still play a significant role in one form or another.

Other bases that are no longer operational for RAF units are still occupied by the military. An obvious example is Upavon which has lost the RAF in its title but is still very much a military base.

Thousands of jobs depend on RAF Lyneham and not just those of the Armed Forces.

A huge number of civilians either work directly or indirectly for the base and Wiltshire can not afford to lose these jobs.

Wiltshire County Council, North Wiltshire District Council and Lyneham Parish Council all need to be involved in having a say on the future of this site and it is encouraging that James Gray is already putting together a task force to look at the future.