EAST Sussex County Council has backed plans to build a second runway at Gatwick Airport.

The authority called an extraordinary meeting this morning to debate plans for the airport.

In a vote 27 voted in favour of a motion to welcome the runway and 19 voted against.

The motion which was carried also made clear the council did not support a “narrow, concentrated arrival flight path” and asked the airport uses a number of routes.

The council’s cabinet has now been asked to respond formally to a consultation issued by the Airport Commission.

The government will make the ultimate decision whether another runway is built at Gatwick or Heathrow.

Last week West Sussex County Council said it would not support the plans.