Laraway, 36, of Ribbleton, near Preston-who operates an amateur radio station, G3-ASK.

THE PLANES.-The four Valiant jets flew out to the test area in March from their base at Wittering, Northamptonshire.

All have a new white flash designed to reflect the flash of nuclear explosions, and so reduce the risk of radiation contamination to a minimum.

Windows of the pilots' cockpits have special shields to  reduce glare.

All the crews wore dark glasses in case they accidentally  saw the flash of the explosion.

Also in the R.A.F.'s task force at Christmas Island are Canberras, Shackletons, Varsities, Hastings, and Whirlwind helicopters.

THE NEWS. - First report of the explosion came in a coded message to the Prime Minister and to senior British scientists, This was received in London at 9 p.m., which means that the explosion was triggered at about 10 a.m. Thursday Pacific time.