Bosses at RAF Brize Norton refused to apologise last night after seeing "appalling and shameful" pictures of raw sewage outside damp-stained living quarters.

The state of accommodation was condemned by local people and politicians - including Witney MP David Cameron - after a series of photographs, above, taken by an anonymous serviceman were revealed.

Raw sewage and used toilet paper is shown leaking from a broken pipe just yards from an accommodation block on the base.

Other pictures show damp-stained sleeping quarters with paint peeling off the walls.

Wing Commander Catherine Coton, a spokesman for RAF Brize Norton, said the block had not been used by troops for eight weeks and the sewage had now been cleared up.

And she added the accommodation block was not used by servicemen flying out to serve abroad, but for those on short parachute training courses.

A statement from the RAF said: "It is regrettable that it has happened and the problems have been addressed."

Carterton resident and former Flight Lieutenant Paul Wesson, a former town and district councillor, said: "It doesn't surprise me, but it annoys me.

"It affects a small amount of people whose morale is probably very, very low. The situation is a disgrace."

Carterton mayor Phil Scott said the situation was not as bad as the photographs suggested.

He said: "I know for a fact that the RAF are improving their accommodation.

"I know that the RAF does take their employees' home life - where they live - very seriously."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman would not confirm whether Defence Secretary Des Browneok was planning to visit Brize Norton in response to concerns.

But he said: "The accommodation blocks in these pictures have not been used for eight weeks.

"Nevertheless, the Chief of the Air Staff and the Secretary of State are very concerned and have asked for this to be investigated urgently.

"We will make sure that whatever may have happened in the past, no service personnel have to stay in this accommodation in such a state in future."

Conservative leader Mr Cameron said: "These photographs are appalling and shameful. I have been campaigning for years for better accommodation and have met with ministers to discuss the issue.

"As our personnel are off to Afghanistan risking life and limb for their country, the least they deserve is a decent accommodation."