CLAIMS that RAF pilots are too scared to fly the new wave of Hercules aircraft have been fiercely denied by the Ministry of Defence.

Norman Lamb, a Liberal Democrat backbencher, has alleged the planes, based at RAF Lyneham, have been dogged by technical faults.

Mr Lamb, MP for North Norfolk, claimed some pilots were so concerned by problems with the centre of gravity they were refusing to take off.

But in a series of written Parliamentary answers, armed forces minister Adam Ingram insisted all was well with the fleet of 10 aircraft, called the C-130J Mk 5.

Mr Ingram released figures showing the C-130J Mk 5 had been flown for a total of 436.5 hours over the last 12 months.

And, asked specifically what reports he had received of squadron pilots refusing to fly the short-fuselage planes, he replied: "None".

Mr Ingram said: "The centre of gravity of the Mk 5 is a known limiting factor in certain configurations and is overcome by the use of ballast."

But Mr Lamb urged the MoD to "come clean" about the problems, which he claimed were common knowledge in military circles.

James Gray, Tory MP for North Wiltshire, whose constituency includes RAF Lyneham, also poured scorn on the allegations made by Mr Lamb.

Flight Lieutenant John Makinson-Sanders, spokesman for RAF Lyneham, said he was aware that questions were being raised about the aircraft but we was unaware of any pilots refusing to fly the new Hercules. RAF Strike Command had tended to use the Mk 4 version of the Hercules during the missions in the Gulf due to its improved capability.

Last week in the television programme, Airbase, focusing on life at RAF Lyneham, a crew flying from Afghanistan had to make a mayday call during a C-130J flight when one of the two flight computers shut down. The crew were so concerned about the failure of the second computer they decided to land at Lyneham for the systems to be checked.