An investigation into potential radioactive contamination at an RAF airbase should be carried out as soon as possible, the Scottish Environment Minister said.

It has been reported that land outside of RAF Kinloss in Moray could be contaminated by aircraft that were coated in radium and buried at the site.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) will investigate the area once the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has conducted an initial report.

The Scottish Government wants Defence Secretary Philip Hammond to oversee the work as soon as possible. Scottish Environment Minister Richard Lochhead said: "I understand that the MoD is conducting investigations into possible contamination at the site.

"The Secretary of State for Defence must ensure that this work is comprehensive, transparent and completed as soon as practically possible.

"Should the presence of radioactive contamination be confirmed I will press the MoD to work with SEPA and start remediation work as a matter of urgency.

"Understandably, these reports will cause anxiety in communities around RAF Kinloss. It is imperative the Ministry of Defence does all it can to reassure the public in Moray and across the rest of Scotland that any further relevant information will be disclosed in full."

A SEPA spokesman echoed Mr Lochhead's calls for the situation to be investigated quickly and said the MoD had provided the environment agency with auality Investigation Report for March 2012.

He added: "The MoD has also informed SEPA of its plans to further investigate the contamination at the site during 2012 and we will be asking for clarification of the scope of the work and will review that information when it is available.

"We encourage the MoD to undertake this work as soon as possible, to provide us with a fuller understanding of the nature and extent of possible radium contamination, and to share with us all the information they hold on the site." RAF Kinloss stopped functioning as an operational airbase in July after 72 years of service as part of the UK Government's Strategic Defence and Security Review.

About 930 personnel from 39 Engineer Regiment (Air Support) are due to move from Waterbeach, Cambridge, to Kinloss in July where they will provide engineer support to both the Royal Air Force and the Army.

An MoD spokesman said the site is still suitable for use.

He said: "The MoD is committed to assessing land quality across the entire defence estate. This robust proactive programme mirrors industry best practice, ensures the land is suitable for use and will not cause harm to people or the environment.

"RAF Kinloss is considered suitable for its current use."