Local councils have given their backing to plans to build a four-runway airport in the Thames estuary.

Cliffe airport, in North Kent, is one of a number of options under consideration in the government's plans for airport expansion. However, although the plans have not been given final approval by ministers, local opposition is mounting.

Other options include as many as three new airports at Stansted and a third runway at Heathrow.

In its report published today, the Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group (SASIG), a group of 74 local authorities within the Local Government Association, argues that this should not be a barrier to the future development.

"That should not be a reason for the government to avoid taking those difficult decisions," it reads.

Despite this conclusion, transport secretary Alistair Darling is expected to rule out the plans for Cliffe airport.

A report published in July this year found that the construction would lead to the loss of 1,100 homes and 5,000 acres of agricultural land.

The development would also impact on the Marshes Protection Area, the Thames Estuary and a local nature reserve.

Councillor Richard Worrall, SASIG chairman, called on the government to give its backing to Cliffe.

"The time has come for bold, imaginative solutions. The days of ad hoc, incremental growth - an extra runway here, a new terminal there - must be ended forever," he said.

"Expanding airports that are already congested or in the wrong place is a short-term answer that fails to address the needs of future generations."