Thousands of people fighting proposals for a new airport on wetlands in Kent were expected to turn up at a protest rally on Friday.

Villagers whose homes could be bought up to make way for the airport on the Hoo Peninsula were horrified at the proposals which could mean up to four runways are built.

But the plans also concern conservationists, who point out that it is a wetland site of international importance, home to more than 155,000 wintering birds.

RSPB chief executive Graham Wynne was hosting the rally at the Northward Hill RSPB Reserve in north Kent on Friday, to bring together the local communities and the RSPB in their fight against the airport.

The area is popular with birdwatchers

The government is considering several options, which also include new runways at existing airports, to cater for the projected doubling of air traffic over the next 20 years.

An estimated 4,000 people turned up at a previous meeting in Kent on 13 August.

Chris Corrigan, RSPB South East Regional Manager told BBC Radio Kent: "From our perspective, because there are so many other alternatives the government can turn to, an airport at Cliffe really shouldn't be on their agenda at all.

"That's something we are going to be campaigning for, to get this removed at the earliest possible stage."

A Department for Transport spokesman said it was an important issue for the whole country and important that people go to exhibitions at key airports which are running throughout September.

The consultation process runs until 30 November.