AN RAF base has announced a weekend of fire safety training.

Members of the public are being advised not to be alarmed if they spot smoke coming from RAF Benson, near Wallingford.

The smoke will not be harmful, says the RAF, but neighbours are advised to ensure windows and vents are closed during these times.

Depending on the weather and the wind direction, homes in St Helen’s Avenue and Crescent, Old London Road, The Moorlands, Paddock Close, Observatory Close and Old Barn Close, all in Benson, could be affected.

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Wallingford District Council is asking people took to Facebook to make the announcement. Training will take place today from 10-11am and from noon-3pm. Further exercises take place on Monday, 1-4pm; Tuesday from 9am-3pm, and Wednesday from 10am-3pm.

The town council says: “While most of the firefighting training undertaken on our airfield does not produce much smoke, regardless of which facility is used, the specialist training that will be taking place in the facility to the rear of our Fire Section during this period has the potential to produce significant amounts of smoke.

“This is because it is training our firefighters to respond to different kinds of emergencies such as those in a kitchen where there can be a large amount of flammable material such as wooden cabinets.”

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