The airport hopes to handle two million passengers a year by 2014

The parishes of Lydd and New Romney will be asked to hold a referendum on proposals to expand the capacity of London Ashford Airport, at Lydd, Kent.

The meetings will be held on 7 March in Greatstone, and 9 March in New Romney.

Protester Trevor Boulden said: "We are organising referendums because we believe this is a way of demonstrating the feelings of local people."

The agenda at both meetings will call for a poll based on the question: "Do you support the proposed expansion of Lydd (London Ashford) Airport including any runway extension? Yes or no?"

Registered to vote

All members of the public are entitled to attend both meetings, the first at St Peter's Church Hall, Roberts Road, Greatstone, at 1900 GMT on Wednesday 7 March, and the second at the Assembly Rooms, New Romney, at 1900 GMT on Friday 9 March.

However, only residents registered to vote will be able to take part in the decision on whether to call a referendum.

In December, the airport's owners submitted planning applications for an extended runway and a new passenger terminal.