Rock star Sting is a surprise ally in the fight to secure the future of RAF Brize Norton.

The singer has launched a High Court action to stop 33 jets being based near his country home at Amesbury in Wiltshire.

The legal threat comes amid an escalating battle for the future of the UK's military tanker aircraft fleet, currently based in west Oxfordshire.

RAF Brize Norton chiefs are confident it will remain the base for the replacement fleet when its ageing VC10s and Tristars are phased out over the next few years.

But the decision rests with the Ministry of Defence, and a challenge to Brize Norton's position is being mounted by a consortium wanting to use Boscombe Down.

Sting is spearheading a campaign against the proposal to upgrade and redevelop the Wiltshire base. He has launched his legal challenge under the new Human Rights Act on the grounds that the enjoyment of his property will be hit by aircraft noise.

And today Witney's MP, Shaun Woodward weighed into the row, attacking "scaremongers" for undermining the future of Brize Norton.

He said: "The message from the MoD is clear. No decision on the contract will be reached before 2002, and any decision will be based on best value and the merits of the base.

"Between now and then I will constantly remind them of the many benefits and strategic importance of Brize Norton airbase.

"The residents of Oxfordshire should ignore the scaremongering being put forward by some quarters and feel confident that we have, in Brize Norton, a base of outstanding quality and great importance of the future of Britain's defence."

Tanker refuelling aircraft are a major part of RAF defence systems.

VC10s and Tristars from RAF Brize Norton played a key part in keeping strike jets airborne for long periods during actions in the Gulf and Kosovo.