LOW-FLYING jet fighters have once again buzzed Barnoldswick, claims Pendle MP Gordon Prentice.

He believes the jets flew over the town again on April 18 at about 10.15am.

A year ago, Mr Prentice made a Commons call for a ban on such flights over built-up areas.

The special debate was called by the MP after local complaints about a flight of eight Tornadoes at rooftop height over Barnoldswick and Earby in January 1995 on their way to RAF Bruggen in Germany. Mr Prentice said: "The planes are unfortunately back again. I am told the warplane last week was flying at about 300 knots and at about 250 feet.

"The concerns I had last year when I raised the matter are just as real today as they were then. There can be no possible justification for overflying towns the size of Barnoldswick.

"Tragically, over recent months we have seen the loss of a large number of RAF fast jets.

"I am making representations to the Ministry of Defence about the adequacy of the maintenance programme.

"I am worried about the amount of RAF maintenance work that has been privatised and where cost seems to be the only factor taken into account."

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