The future of HMS Raleigh looks safe after the Defence Secretary confirmed the base 'will remain the Royal Navy's premier training establishment in the South West'.

In a letter to South East Cornwall MP Sheryll Murray Dr Liam Fox said the base, which Torpoint heavily relies on, is safe.

Mrs Murray, who says she has been contacted by concerned workers, wrote to Dr Fox asking for reassurances because of a Navy freeze on recruitment and speculation the base might be under threat from closure.

All ratings joining the Royal Navy complete their initial training at HMS Raleigh.

Describing the base as a 'really important facility' Mrs Murray welcomed the response from the Defence Secretary this week.

She said: 'He (Dr Liam Fox) definitely said HMS Raleigh would be retained, but he mentioned it might not take on as many recruits. It isn't just Torpoint that relies on HMS Raleigh for work, but the whole of the Rame Peninsula. If you removed HMS Raleigh from Torpoint a lot of people would suffer.'

The base not only supports the local economy, but naval recruits work closely with the local community on projects, volunteering their time for the benefit of Torpoint and surrounding areas.