MOTORIST Joanne Berry was driven mad by her faulty car-locking system.

The remote-controlled system on the Toyota Avensis kept playing up, forcing her to make a 28-mile round journey to her dealer on several occasions to get it re-set.

The alternative was to use a key manually, but this would set off the car alarm, upsetting the neighbours.

Now she has been astonished to discover the problem is caused by... aircraft.

Joanne, who lives at Tholthorpe, near RAF Linton-on-Ouse, was told by her dealership that her remote-controlled central-locking key was being hampered by the planes - because they are on the same frequency.

The frequencies used by ambulances and police cars are also believed to add to the problem.

Joanne said her locking system had failed seven times since she bought the car from a Knaresborough Toyota dealer in April.

"It's very frustrating," she told the Evening Press.

"I've had to leave the car unlocked or use the key manually which sets off the alarm for up to a minute.

"This is not popular with my neighbours.

"There's not that many aeroplanes flying about where I live - it's completely illogical.

"If I had known this was a problem I would never have bought it."

A Toyota spokesman said: "All car manufacturers are required by law to use a certain frequency under a European anti-theft directive.

"In using that particular frequency there are instances where certain other radio transmitters can interfere with this signal. On these rare occasions the remote controlled central locking will not work.

"When this occurs with a Toyota vehicle, access can be gained by using the key in the door lock. This will automatically activate the alarm until the key is put in the ignition

"At no time will the vehicle become immobilised because of this issue.

"The key should not normally need re-sychronising." The Toyota owners' handbook says: "If the wireless remote transmitter does not actuate the doors or does not operate from a normal distance, check for closeness to a radio transmitter such as a radio station or airport which can interfere with normal operation of the transmitter".

The spokesman said: "Countries within the European Union recognise that there is a concern with this issue.

"In the UK, the Radio Communications Agency is trying to get the legislation amended allowing manufacturers to use a different frequency.

"Toyota apologises for any inconvenience caused to customers, however there is no fault with its vehicles."

An RAF Linton spokesman was unavailable for comment.

Updated: 11:25 Thursday, February 28, 2002