Terry Waite in protest walk

Terry Waite is leading the protest walk

Former special envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Terry Waite, is to lead a sponsored walk for the pressure group Stop Stansted Expansion in September.

The group says it wants to send a message to Transport Secretary Alistair Darling that concreting over footpaths, ancient lanes and listed buildings is "unacceptable".

The Horseshoes Hike on 28 September coincides with the first day of the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth.

The destination will be Molehill Green where a short rally will be held with local MPs and campaigners.

Campaign director Carol Barbone said: "People will be demonstrating their committment to protecting the heritage and quality of life that rightfully belongs to future generations - not the aviation industry."

The expansion of Stansted is one of the options being considered by the government as part of its aviation programme to meet the growth in air travel.