IN response to the report on RAF flight distribution, it was the RAF, not Hambleton District Council, which, in 2000, offered to change circuits back to a fairer spread.

They asked Hambleton and Harrogate councils to carry out a parish consultation to establish parish preferences. That democratic process took four years - delayed because of complaints from Newton - and was scrupulously conducted.

Most villages voted for the present circuit pattern. The result also reflected a fair spread of circuit noise around the base.

Only Newton and Linton who, during the last ten years, have had no circuit noise whatsoever voted to retain the post-1995 circuits.

After six months' trial of the new circuits all parishes consulted in the Hambleton area gave evidence to Hambleton scrutiny committee. All supported the continuation of the present circuits - with the exception of Linton and Newton.

The combined population numbers of those parishes - Alne, Aldwark, Youlton, and Tollerton - far exceeds Linton and Newton.

Linton's commanding officer specifically stated that there are no safety differences between any of the circuits and the RAF themselves have no preference about which circuits are flown.

Both Linton and Newton parish chairmen, as well as many residents, were present to hear this.

Planes have flown directly over Alne School for the last ten years. Why they should not also fly over Linton School, home to the base itself, is a mystery.

Alne parish - population 750 - is a member of the noise liaison group. The present campaign of slur, spin and misinformation by Newton and Linton is shameful and does not represent most citizens in the area.

Dr Gudrun Gaudian,

Main Street,Alne.

Updated: 10:30 Thursday, January 13, 2005