Thousands against plans for take-off

The airport could see around 250 budget holiday flights a day

Protestors fighting against plans to expand Wolverhampton Business Airport are taking their campaign to the government on Monday.

About 5,000 people held a protest march on Sunday against £400m plans which could see the site introduce budget flights for holidaymakers.

Its owners hope to handle as many as 8m passengers each year by putting on budget holiday flights to other British airports.

But residents living near the flight path of the airport, which is seven miles south-west of Wolverhampton near the Staffordshire-Shropshire border, are against the plans and a written argument will be delivered to the Department of Transport.

Noise pollution

Residents are angry over the prospect of losing large areas of their countryside and wildlife and the harmful effects of noise pollution from jet engines.

The Wolverhampton Airport Action Group is awaiting the results of the government white paper on the proposal due in November.

If the plans are given the go ahead the business airport could see around 250 budget holiday flights a day in and out of the airport.

Seventy-year-old Eric Horwill, from Wall Heath, Kingswinford, completed a 100-mile march around the airport site over the weekend as part of the protest.

Mr Horwill said the march was not for him but for future generations.

"I have lived here all my life and know exactly what this area means to people," he said.