A national employers' organisation is backing plans for a controversial extra runway at East Midlands Airport.

The Confederation of British Industry has backed the proposal for a second runway in its submission to the government's Air Transport White Paper.

The white paper is due to be published next autumn.

Government figures suggest expansion of airport capacity in the region could create more than 60,000 new jobs.

Room to expand

Peter Stevenson, East Midlands Regional Director of the confederation, says more flights are essential for business growth.

"If we're going to remain competitive as a country in the global economy we have to provide facilities for airport expansion.

Low-budget airlines have increased traffic

"We've made it clear that any airport expansion is conditional on airlines fulfilling environment commitments," he said.

Leicestershire County Council leader Harry Barber has opposed the proposal to build a second runway at the airport, saying it is not needed.

Nottinghamshire Council has supported the idea, saying the airport has plenty of room to expand.

The council's cabinet also believes public transport links must be improved and the new East Midlands Parkway station, at Ratcliffe-on-Soar, should be built as soon as possible.

The stance is likely to anger people living under the flight path, who do not want more planes flying over their homes.

The CBI has also said a new airport for the Midlands based at Rugby is not necessary.

The arrival of budget airlines, including Bmibaby and Go, has seen major growth in passenger numbers at East Midlands Airport.

Another reason for the suggested expansion is a projected 10-fold increase in freight handled at the airport.