Environmental groups campaigning against airport expansion

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council, which wants to see an end to night flights, has invited homeowners to fill in a special form.

All complaints will then be logged to gauge the effect on the community.

The authority has also given �10,000 to Richmond Council's judicial review fight over the consultation process.

This fresh legal challenge, over major shortcomings in the government's current consultation, is crucial. Councillor Tony Arbour, leader of Richmond Council

A Royal Borough spokeswoman said more than 200 people had attended two public meetings as part of an ongoing campaign.

"Judging by the public reaction we believe there was a very good overall response from the Royal borough to the Department for Transport (DfT) in time for the consultation period," she said.

Householders had until 29 October to lodge objections to the government's phase one consultation on night flying restrictions at Heathrow.

Richmond and Wandsworth councils are seeking a judicial review in the High Court over "flaws" they believe they have found in the DfT's consultation process.

The local authorities fear the proposals could treble the number of night flights.

Councillor Tony Arbour, leader of Richmond Council, said: "This fresh legal challenge, over major shortcomings in the government's current consultation, is crucial.

"If we win, it would be a real milestone along the road to an eventual ban on night-time flying at Heathrow."