Villagers have declared they will fight proposals for expansion at Gatwick airport every step of the way.

Charlwood Parish Council has published a new response to the Government's consultation on the future development of air transport in the South East.

The document sets out the villager's opinions in the strongest terms.

They have formally objected to all the options for additional runways at Gatwick put forward in the consultation, and to the BAA alternatives.

The council also requests the Government honour the legal agreement between BAA and West Sussex County Council not to construct an additional runway before 2019.

Consultation for the White Paper ends on June 30.

Villagers say Charlwood, which is thousands of years old, would be destroyed if two new runways are built.

The document states: "We have no intention of allowing this to come to pass and believe that public opinion throughout Britain would support us.

"If a new runway is not ruled out we will fight any proposal at every stage."

Government forecasts suggest a need for up to three new runways in the South East over the next 30 years. The first is expected to open in 2011.

Hilary Sewill, head of the council, said: "Any of the proposals would be a total disaster for Charlwood - it would destroy us."

In March 450 villagers voted unanimously against any development.

Mole Valley MP Sir Paul Beresford announced he had formed a group of six local MPs - including Charles Hendry, Francis Maud, Crispin Blunt, Peter Ainsworth and Nicholas Soames - who were prepared to fight the villagers' corner in Westminster.

East Sussex County Council has announced in a report to be discussed by it's cabinet on Tuesday, that it will not step in if the Government seeks to overturn a legal ruling banning a new second runway at Gatwick before 2019.

The report, by the council's director of transport and environment, says expansion would attract flights to a wide range of destinations, boost employment in the area and would re-shape the economy of coastal areas.