Mr Duncan has been assured by the Government that the air base, which is scheduled for closure in 2013, will be considered for other defence uses.

He received a letter from the Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth, saying the site will be considered as part of a forthcoming Defence Review.

The Ministry of Defence will look at the site as a possible new base for the army returning from Germany or moving from the south east of England.

Mr Duncan said he was delighted at the news, which he feels is a major step in the right direction.

He added: "Our first preference remains keeping it as an RAF base but if it can't then we would all like it to continue as a defence establishment rather than just be abandoned.

"This letter is a hint of light at the end of the tunnel, which I welcome.'

Campaigners, who have lobbied the Government via a petition to Number 10 and though social network website Facebook, have welcomed the news.

Neil Allison said: "The Campaign to Save RAF Cottesmore welcomes the efforts of Alan Duncan in bringing pressure to bear over the Secretary of State with regard to the closure of RAF Cottesmore.

"It shows that the Government is wobbling slightly over the future of the base, and to that end, we intend to step up the fight to retain it as the home of the Harrier."

Campaigners met with Rutland Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Grahame Hudson and Rutland County Councillor Marc Oxley (Lib Dem) at the weekend at the Whipper-In Hotel in Oakham.

Both men have pledged to throw their weight behind efforts to force a u-turn on the planned closure.

Mr Hudson, who is also vice-chairman of the Liberal Democrats Friends of the Armed Forces, said: "I think the campaigners have done a tremendous job - they are apolitical and their campaign has been supported across the counties."

Mr Allison, who lives near RAF Coningsby, said the Ministry of Defence should consider other options.

He added: "The Ministry Of Defence has many other bases and locations that troops could be based at, and the facilities and skills offered by Cottesmore should be kept in place to allow air operations."

But despite welcoming the news that there is renewed hope for the base Mr Allison said he still had serious concerns about its future.

The campaign team has promised to crank up the pressure on the Government in its bid to save the site from being closed.

"Having seen a copy of the letter from Bob Ainsworth to Alan Duncan, it is somewhat ambiguous and also refers to disposal of defence assets, which is hardly conclusive of a u-turn," he said.

"However, it does demonstrate that there is room for movement on the issue and the campaign team will seek to exploit this.

In a rallying call to those behind the campaign, Mr Allison added: "RAF Cottesmore must be saved, and we will fight hard to win this battle."

Do you remember the closure of RAF North Luffenham in October 1997? We'd like to hear from people who were affected by its switch to an Army base. E-mail rutland.editorial@jpress.co.uk.