The airport has already received a �15m upgrade

London Ashford Airport, based at Lydd on the Romney Marsh, surveyed 101 people at a series of public consultations on the plans.

But Peter Carroll, from the Keep the Marsh Special Alliance, said the number surveyed was "ridiculously small".

He added: "The expansion would create jobs but the environmental impact on the marshes would be too high."

Two million passengers

The airport said almost 60% of the people questioned felt the development would either improve or not affect their quality of life, and 80% said jobs the airport would create for local residents were important.

Mr Carroll said there was a "growing majority" of people opposed to the proposed expansion.

Facilities at London Ashford Airport have already undergone a �15m upgrade.

Plans would enable London Ashford Airport to handle two million passengers by 2014.