Opposition is mounting to the planned expansion of Wolverhampton Business Airport.

Its owners hope to handle as many as 8m passengers each year by putting on budget holiday flights to other British airports.

But people living under the flight path of the airport, which is seven miles south-west of Wolverhampton near the Staffordshire-Shropshire border, are being urged to join forces to oppose the planned expansion.

The Wolverhampton Airport Action Group (WAAG), based in Kinver, near Stourbridge in the West Midlands, is asking locals to attend a meeting in on Friday night.

Anyone who has friends living within 20 miles of any major UK airport will know what disruption they can cause Councillor Nigel Addison

It is being held at the Community Centre in Wombourne, Staffordshire.

Gordon Drury, a spokesman for WAAG, said any expansion would reduce the quality of life for people living near the airport, a former RAF base.

"Our main concerns are that any expansion of the aerodrome big or small affects the area - the number of people it brings through, there isn't sufficient parking for cars."

Nigel Addison, newly-elected Wyre Forest councillor for Wolverley in Worcestershire, said many parts of the district, including Wolverley, Cookley and Bewdley, would be in the flight path of the airport.

"I am concerned that not enough information has been given to Wyre Forest people.

'Act now'

"Many do not realise that the proposals for the airport include aspirations for it to handle as many as 8m passengers a year.

"Anyone who has friends living within 20 miles of any major UK airport will know what disruption they can cause.

"We must act now before it is too late."

He also called upon people to attend Friday's meeting, which starts at 1930 BST.

MP Sir Patrick Cormack, who represents the South Staffordshire constituency, and Debra Shipley, the MP for Stourbridge, will both speak at the meeting.