A company boss has sparked a storm of protest over plans to build a helicopter landing pad near his Mid Sussex home.

John Barnes, who runs a nationwide TV and electronics firm, wants a landing pad near his home so he can make business trips all over the country at a moment's notice.

He already lands and takes off from the grounds of his grade II listed house in Sandhill Lane, Crawley Down, but says he wants to build the helicopter platform in a field next to his home to cut noise disturbance after complaints from his neighbours.

He does not need planning permission to land and take off from his home and only needs to check with Gatwick Airport control before he flies.

But more than 75 residents have launched a campaign against his plans after mounting anger that the helicopter generates too much noise and disturbs residents and wild life.

Mid Sussex District Council has received letters of objection from people who say the helicopter is a safety hazard and should be based at an airport.

The council's planning committee has recommended the scheme should be approved but with restricted flying hours.

Residents said helicopters were out of keeping with the character of the area and created air pollution.

Others claim Mr Barnes's flights over their homes are an invasion of their privacy.

Both Turners Hill and Worth parish councils have objected to the scheme, saying it is un-neighbourly.

Councillors are due to decide on Thursday whether the scheme can go ahead.