The first pictures of how Gatwick’s second runway could look have been revealed.

The Sussex airport has said that if given the go-ahead for a second runway, passengers could be taking as soon as 2025.

Sir Terry Farrell – the UK’s leading architect planner –said that an expanded Gatwick would have an Olympic scale effect from the capital to Brighton and Hove.

Gatwick bosses said today that if the Government approved their plans quickly, construction on the new runway could start before the end of the next parliament in 2020, with the first flights taking off by 2025.

Sir Terry Farrell said: "I have no doubt that with a second runway, Gatwick will deliver more balanced, and more widely spread, economic growth for London and the South East.

Expansion at Gatwick could do for South London and the wider region what the Olympics did for East London and give a huge boost in terms of jobs, housing and regeneration."

Stewart Wingate said: "The next runway needs to bring the greatest economic return for the UK at the lowest environmental cost.

"That makes Gatwick the obvious answer as we will be able to connect to more destinations in the future because we are the only airport to cater for all airline models.

"It is the best solution that embraces long term aviation trends. It can also be delivered in less time with less cost and less noise.

"Most importantly, passengers will benefit from more choice and better value for money. If chosen - and with swift decision making - we are committing today to start work on site in the next Parliament.”