Union leaders and Hove MP Ivor Caplin have called for a review of a legal agreement which rules out development at Gatwick until 2019.

Mr Caplin and the GMB both say there should be an in investigation into the impact that permanently ruling out a new runway could have on jobs and the local economy.

They argue it would be unwise not to even consider any expansion work for another 17 years.

The GMB also called for restrictions on building on the potential site for a second runway.

The union's John King told a fringe meeting at the Labour party conference it would be a disaster if - in the future - it became clear Gatwick needed greater capacity but the only available site was covered in houses.

Labour MP Mr Caplin, a Government whip, is meeting airport managing director Roger Cato on Friday.

He stressed he is not calling for the agreement, which was signed in 1979, to be torn up.

But he told The Argus: "We need to review this because airports can have a tremendous impact on the economy.

"It provides hundreds of jobs and we need to give the airlines encouragement to continue using Gatwick."

Transport Minister John Spellar has ruled out any development at Gatwick as a result of the agreement between the British Airports Authority and West Sussex County Council.