Councillors and residents in Crawley have formed a pressure group to fight proposals for any runway expansion at Gatwick airport.

The One is Enough group will dovetail with organisations such as the Gatwick Area Conservation Committee and the Horley Anti-Runway Committee.

Co-founder Councillor Jim Smith said: "Until now there has not been a group with a specific voice just for the people of Crawley.

"We are the nearest large town to the airport and it is my ward which will be worst hit if a new runway was built."

Although Coun Smith's ward of Langley Green and neighbouring Ifield and Northgate are closest to the airport, they are also home to many of the 7,500 people who make up the 24 per cent of locals working at Gatwick.

Coun Smith said: "We need to test the water to see what the public opinion is. We have joined the fray a little later than the other pressure groups but we are nonetheless committed. We do not need another runway at Gatwick."

The group is concerned about possible flooding if a concrete runway displaced water to an area which is already a flood risk and has fears about the high levels of asthma in Crawley school children.

Coun Smith said: "We can't say with our hands on heart our children's breathing problems are caused by air pollution but it has to be a contributing factor."

His wife Brenda, also a Labour councillor, and Councillor Bob Lazer are acting as joint chairs of the One is Enough group.

There are four Labour councillors, four Conservatives and two Liberal Democrats already signed up to campaign against airport expansion and public interest is growing.

To find out more call 01293 451900.