Residents campaigning against proposals to build a new airport near Rugby are to hand in a petition at Downing Street signed by almost 70,000 people.

Protestors will also be hoping to explain to MPs why they think plans to construct the two-runway airport near the A45 and M6 between Coventry and Rugby are flawed.

The visit comes as the end nears of the process by which affected communities get a chance to raise their objections.

Meanwhile, campaigners against a second runway at Birmingham Airport say more than 18,000 people have now signed a petition backing their cause.

We've...one signature for every voter here because there are 68,000 voters in Rugby Borough Council

Councillor Mark Pawsey

On Saturday, groups of local campaigners from across England marched on Parliament Square to demand a rethink of the government's plans.

Television chef Jamie Oliver was among those who joined the protest which ended with a rally in Trafalgar Square.

He has just bought a house close to Stansted, which is one of the airports facing re-development.

He said: "A chef can't give you all the options but I think we should spend a nice little bit of cash on some really good, professional, experienced, independent advice - not necessarily from within this country."

69,000 votes

Rugby Borough Councillor Mark Pawsey says there is a lot of support for their campaign.

"We think that most of the people are local, because they've been in shops, the library, the town hall.

"Mostly local people have signed those although there are signatures from all over the country.

"One of the big, significant numbers is that we've over 69,000 votes.

"That represents one signature for every voter here because there are 68,000 voters in the Rugby Borough."

Battle for limelight

The Rugby protest has overshadowed the campaign against a second runway at Birmingham Airport.

Solihull Councillor Jim Ryan says it has been a battle for the limelight:

"We were late starting because the Warwickshire debate somewhat took the attention from our campaign."

Protestors against the plans for a second runway at Birmingham Airport will hand in their petition on Wednesday.