A DECISION on whether to close RAF Strike Command could be just weeks away.

Midweek has learned the RAF has all but scrapped plans to move both RAF Strike Command and RAF Personnel and Training Command, at Innsworth in Gloucestershire, to a third new site.

It is now a straight fight between RAF High Wycombe and RAF Innsworth to house the new HQ.

Now MoD chiefs have to decide whether to move Personnel and Training Command to High Wycombe or Strike Command to RAF Innsworth, Gloucestershire.

A decision is expected to be made by the Government early next year.

Concern about the future of the base, which employs more than 2,000 people, has been growing since the RAF announced a review of its key bases. Earlier this year it emerged it was considering co-locating the two RAF commands.

Fears grew four weeks ago when the base was listed by the MoD as a base where jobs could be transferred from in a drive to move civil service jobs away from the South East.

Since the review was announced the MoD has also moved more facilities to RAF Innsworth.

It is not clear if another use would be found for the site at Naphill if Strike Command moved.

Both bases have been assessed as giving value for money.

A spokesman said: "Work has started to examine the options in more detail now."