Town says a last farewell to those magnificent men and their flying machines

HUNDREDS lined the main road through the Moray town of Forres yesterday to bid an emotional farewell to the servicemen and women of RAF Kinloss.

Members of the base's three squadrons, due to be formally disbanded at a private ceremony tomorrow, marched through the burgh for the last time.

Former station commander Robbie Noel said: "I am massively disappointed the Ministry of Defence has elected to make a decision to close the base, given the fantastic record maritime patrol aircraft have had for this island nation and given the amount of support the community has given to the air force."

He said the decision to axe the Nimrod replacement meant Britain had relinquished a key card in terms of security.

Grenville Johnston, the Lord Lieutenant of Moray, paid tribute to the vital contribution made to Britain's defence during the base's 71-year history.