THE relocation of search and rescue operations from a Cornwall RAF base to Wales has been delayed by ten months.

The unit at RAF St Mawgan was due to go to RAF Valley in October 2007 as part of MoD plans to mothball the base. The MoD says the move to Wales will not happen until August 2008.

The decision will give Cornwall county council more time to help Newquay Airport to reach the civilian aviation standards needed after the RAF leaves.

When the military presence is withdrawn, the civilian airport, which uses the same site, will have to provide its own runway maintenance, firefighter cover and air traffic control.

A £21m funding package is being assembled by the council.

Andrew Mitchell, county councillor responsible for the airport, said: "The good news is the extra 10 months in which to get our civilian licence, which has got to be welcomed. But there are some concerns for the work staff and what this will mean for us taking over.

"We need to make sure this news doesn't affect anything in the wider plan."

The move was first scheduled for April 2007 but delayed by six months.

The new delay means a temporary reprieve for up to 500 civilian staff due to lose their jobs when military activity eventually ceases.