Fighter bombers leave US base

Ten US Air Force fighter jets have taken off from Lakenheath airbase in Suffolk.

Witnesses say the planes were F15s and included a number of F15 Strike Eagle fighter-bombers.

The planes began leaving the base at around 2pm.

Witnesses say the planes were armed with missiles and left in a series of small groups.

A spokesman for the base - the biggest USAF installation in Europe - would not discuss whether Lakenheath planes were being called upon to fly to the Middle East as part of the build up of US forces.

He said he could not discuss operational details.

The planes were not accompanied by transport aircraft.

Fighter-bombers from Lakenheath were used in the American attack on Libya 15 years ago.

The base has been on high alert since the atrocities in New York and Washington last week.