A MAJOR 10-day exercise involving up to 4,000 troops will be centred on Salisbury Plain and could lead to some disruption locally.

Military bosses say 500 vehicles will be involved with many based at the MoD site in Ludgershall between 26 January and 6 Feb operating day and night and over the weekend.

A spokesman for 19 Light Brigade said: “This exercise is represents the final major component of our training and we will soon be completely prepared for deployment. “At the end of the exercise we will be the best trained Brigade in the Army and ready for the challenge ahead.”

The military have pledged to ensure that noisy activity, such as flying, is limited to normal training times on some occasions flying will be conducted throughout the night.

Exercise planners say they have made every effort to avoid over-flying sensitive and built-up areas.

Lt Col Mike Beard, commander of the training area, said: “While it is appreciated that this exercise will cause some minor disruption and inconvenience to people in the local areas involved, we would ask for their co-operation and understanding to ensure that the Armed Forces maintain their genuine operational effectiveness.”