WYCOMBE Air Park, the 13th largest airfield in Britain, is undergoing a series of improvements to see it into the 21st century.

The changes are part of a three-year programme costing several hundred thousands of pounds, to improve working conditions for some of the park's 800 employees.

The work includes rebuilding four World War Two hangars capable of accommodating Lancaster bombers and a number of older buildings on the 270-acre site in Booker.

The work is just a series of improvements at the park. It was resurfaced and regrassed ten years ago and had a new air traffic control tower costing £200,000 built in 1997.

Residents living near the site, who are concerned about safety and noise pollution, also have something to smile about.

The number of take-offs and landings per year at the park have fallen from 180,000 in the 1980s to 140,000.

Captain Tim Orchard, airfield managing director, was unable to explain what caused the flight reduction, or whether it affected the park's profit margin.

He said: "Noise is the main concern among residents and the impact of airlines on their daily life. We have voluntary noise abatement procedures which have been agreed with residents and the council."