RAF Brize Norton's commanding officer, Group Captain Neil Jagger, has reassured the local community after speculation about the future of the base.

Two consortiums are bidding to run the next generation of RAF tanker and passenger aircraft to replace the ageing VC10s and Tristars currently based at RAF Brize Norton.

A rival to Brize Norton as a future base is Boscombe Down in Hampshire.

More than 100 people from towns and villages close to RAF Brize Norton were invited to a briefing by senior officers, followed by a flight in a Tristar.

About 3,700 servicemen and women, together with 600 civilians, work at Brize Norton - the RAF's largest operational base.

Gp Capt Jagger said: "We are one of the largest employers in Oxfordshire and the future of the station has received a lot attention in the media.

"We believe the base has a future, as both consortiums have indicated Brize Norton will be the base for their operations.

"The current view of Strike Command is that, even if the future strategic tanker aircraft do not come to Brize Norton, the base will remain open.

"The Government has realised that we need replacements for the VC10 and Tristar, they are old and the VC10 is noisy.

"We do appreciate that and we are doing something about it and ask you in the local community to bear with us."

Among the guests was Carterton Mayor Joe Walcott.

He said: "There has been a lot of speculation in the town and Gp Capt Jagger has left us in no doubt where the station is going and we know there is a future here.

"The close relation Carterton enjoys with RAF Brize Norton is unique," he said.