Hundreds of campaigners will march in protest against an eco-town which could be built on a disused airfield.

The Ford eco-town, near Bognor, would see 5,000 houses built on the former airfield.

Campaigners, including Olympic swimmer Duncan Goodhew and TV presenter and newspaper columnist Ben Fogle, fear the proposed eco-town will swallow up the surrounding countryside.

The guiding principle of the eco-towns is that they should be low-energy, carbon-neutral and built from recycled materials.

But opponents fear they will become dormitory towns with few public transport links, forcing residents to drive to work. It is also claimed that fields and woodland will be lost.

Ministers want the first five eco towns in Britain to be built by 2016, with the others completed by 2020.

In at least five areas, planning and early construction work - which are likely to be accompanied by high-profile protests - would take place in the build-up to next year's local elections and to the general election, expected in 2010.

Dr Bruce Fogle, father of Ben, urged people to join the march. He said: "If you think it's wrong to sacrifice forever our ability to grow our own food in favour of urban development, on some of the most productive arable countryside in the UK, join us on June 7."

Nick Herbert, MP for Arundel and South Downs and Nick Gibb, MP for Bognor and Littlehampton will also be at Saturday's march.

Tell us why you don't think the eco town should be built at Ford below.