DAVID Cameron has pledged to tackle the “unacceptable level” of noise from RAF Brize Norton.

The Prime Minister and Witney MP spoke over concerns about an increase in aircraft noise from the base.

It is now a main RAF destination after the closure of Wiltshire’s RAF Lyneham in 2011.

It has also seen the arrival of the C130 Hercules Force from Lyneham which residents say has increased noise levels still further.

Last year RAF Brize Norton said sorry after it emerged that some Hercules tests broke the Ministry of Defence noise guidelines.

Noise complaints have risen from 23 a year to 958 since Hercules aircraft were transferred to Brize Norton.

In November last year the air base committed about £1.6m to reducing noise levels, and high power engine test runs near Black Bourton village, the worst affected, were banned.

Mr Cameron said: “This is a serious issue, which I have been closely monitoring.

“My office and I have been in regular contact with the station to ensure that everything can be done to mitigate the unacceptable level of noise. I have also met with residents.”

Brize Norton Parish Council chairman Keith Glazier said: “I have the greatest regard for the RAF but we never had reason to complain until the arrival of the Hercules.

“The problem is noise in the middle of the night which means people are losing sleep.

“People can’t open their windows in the summer and are having to take time off work because they are not getting enough sleep.”

Mr Glazier fears the noise could get worse when the Airbus A400M Atlas aircraft start to replace the Hercules fleet late next year.

Station Road resident Clive Homer said: “Noise is a real problem which makes the planned development of 700 houses in Carterton East near the air base even more ridiculous.”

A base spokesman said there was no “silver bullet” solution but it will offer free triple-glazed windows if noise is not cut to a tolerable level.