Almost 200 people packed a public meeting last night to protest against the possible expansion of Shoreham Airport.

Most were against the idea of making the runway longer and having more daily flights.

The airport's owners, Brighton and Hove City Council and Worthing Borough Council, say bringing in commercial flights is the best way to secure its future and keep it in profit.

But residents believe the expansion will lead to more noise and disruption and will not work in the long run.

City councillor Don Turner told the meeting at Lancing Parish Hall that the airport was £3.2 million in debt and was only just about making a profit.

He said: "We have borrowed money over the years to keep it going and we have turned things round so the airport is making a small profit "If interest rates go up then we are going to lose that profit. We cannot keep on asking residents in Brighton and Hove and Worthing to pay more council tax to keep the airport going."

Consultant Andy Lomax said the Government White Paper published yesterday had earmarked Shoreham as having potential for development.

He said: "That does not mean anything is going to happen but it has been recognised that Shoreham could become a second-tier airport."

Residents asked how the airport could justify expensive commercial flights when passengers could more easily travel to Gatwick for cheaper flights.

Mr Lomax said they were expected to be used by business people who would be more concerned about time and speed than cost.

Resident Peter Harris said: "My main concern is about the impact on the roads. The A27 and A259 are already hellish. It will be a nightmare for people around here."

No formal proposals have been put forward but two are being considered - keep the airport as it is and increase general aviation and private flights only, or replace the 1,036 metre runway with a realigned 1,999 metre one which could cope with commercial flights.

The closing date for comments is January 16 and there is a public exhibition at the Adur Civic Centre in Shoreham from January 5-16.

More details are available at www.shorehamairport.co.uk