Controversial plans to extend the runway at Britain's oldest commercial airport have been put on hold.

The owners of Shoreham Airport say they need to be sure they have support from private companies before going ahead with the project.

It would cost millions to revamp but there is no guarantee airlines would use it after the work was completed.

The airport is owned by Brighton and Hove City Council and Worthing Borough Council.

A report to both authorities is recommending they market the airport first to see whether the private sector is interested in becoming involved.

It will be discussed by the city council on Wednesday next week and by the borough council on April 5.

The report was drawn up by a task group, including representatives from both councils and observers from Adur District Council and West Sussex County Council.

It followed extensive consultation on proposals for the future of Shoreham Airport.

The two main proposals are to either extend and realign the runway and increase the number of daily flights or leave the runway where it is and increase the number of flights.

A longer runway would mean small jets could use the airport, which might lead to more commercial flights.

The airport's owners say doing nothing is not an option as Shoreham is only just managing to break even.

They say it needs to change to become more profitable otherwise council tax payers could end up footing the bill if the airport loses money.

The delay has been welcomed by campaigners who said any expansion would be uneconomic and make their lives a misery.

Brighton and Hove leader Ken Bodfish said: "As joint owner, our first consideration must go to safeguarding the airport's financial future."

Worthing's deputy leader John Lovell said: "This is not a case of going back to the drawing board but a positive step forward embracing all of the study's findings.

"The work will go forward into constructive planning for a certain future for Shoreham Airport. Consideration must also be given to the regeneration future of the whole South Coast."

About 440 people responded to the consultation with many raising fears about the effects of aircraft, including noise, emissions and safety.

Caroline Burghard and her husband Clive have lived in Old Salts Farm Road, 300yds from the south-west boundary of the airport, for ten years.

Mrs Burghard said she would rather see the airport sold and the site used as an industrial estate which would create a lot more jobs.