ARMED Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth has re-ignited concerns over the future of Royal Marines in Hamworthy after letting slip plans to move a squadron of commandos out of the town.

Mr Ainsworth, who was touring Devonport Naval Base for the first time since landing his ministerial role in the summer, told journalists that marines would be moving to Plymouth from Royal Marine Poole.

During the recent tour he said: "All the landing craft at Poole will be coming here.

"We do not want them in two different places.

"We need to look at where to best place them, and that place is here."

But his comments were at odds with Ministry of Defence officials (MoD) who told the Echo: "He made a mistake and the future of Royal Marine Poole has not been decided."

The base, established in 1954, is the headquarters of the Special Boat Service (SBS) and home to 1 Assault Group, where marines train to use landing craft and become coxswains.

The MoD spokesman said: "The relocation of some units from Poole is a proposal that comes up periodically.

"This is an aspiration and the minister was not announcing it formally.

"There are still decisions to be made and we will make announcements in due course."

Poole Mayor Jeff Allen said: "The marines are always moving about. We have heard that 1 Assault Group could be moving to Devonport, but this does not mean the camp is closing."

He said the council campaigned to keep the base open in the 1990s when it was threatened with closure.

"Obviously, we completely support the marines and hope they remain in Poole in the future," he added.

Concerns were last raised over the long-standing Hamworthy base in 2002 when speculation was rife that the MoD was set to sell the land to property developers.

This was dispelled months later and met with relief by residents and businesses, as the site generates millions of pounds for the local economy.

Hamworthy councillor Mike White said: "It would be a big disappointment if the marines ever left Poole.

"There have been rumours about a move for years, but I cannot see how they would ever find a better harbour and stretch of coastline to train."