The dispute over a possible second runway at East Midlands Airport has been raised in the House of Commons.

David Taylor, Labour MP for North West Leicestershire, said many people felt they had not had the chance to put their views.

The government is proposing a second runway so the airport can handle more flights.

But the consultation process, designed to listen to all opinions, has been criticised as being difficult to use.

New airport

Speaking in the Commons on Thursday, Mr Taylor said people have struggled to respond to a public consultation which was launched in July.

He said: "The consultation period ends in nine days time on the 30th November and many constituents in north west Leicestershire have had great difficulty in getting hold of the appropriate documentation to submit their views.

"And the Department for Transport has resolutely refused to extend the consultation period."

The Conservative MP for Blaby, Andrew Robathan, said the public questionnaire was "utterly ridiculous".

There are also proposals to create a new airport near Rugby.

No debate

East Midlands Airport has seen a large jump in passenger numbers, mainly due to the popularity of budget airlines.

The government has said it was aware there have been a number of complaints about the consultation process into airport expansion in the East Midlands.

The Leader of the Commons, Robin Cook, told MPs that he expects those compiling the results to take the situation into account.

The government refused to allow a Commons debate, but said the discussion would continue through other channels.