Transport secretary Alistair Darling has announced plans for a consultation on two new runways at Gatwick as part of a wider review of airport capacity.

The move would increase passenger levels at the Sussex airport from 32 million to 115 million a year.

Ministers claimed that building two new runways at Gatwick and one at Heathrow would cost £7 billion but lead to economic benefits of £25 billion.

The plan to expand Gatwick, which would lead to the demolition of over 400 homes, faces strong local opposition.