Activists stage Heathrow protest

Hundreds of activists opposed to a third runway at Heathrow today staged a “flash mob” protest at the UK airport's Terminal Five.

The action, which saw environmentalists gather with local residents and climate change groups at the airport, was the first major demonstration since the British government controversially gave the go-ahead for the expansion.

In a show of solidarity for the village of Sipson, campaigners said they were ready to move into homes facing destruction to pave the way for the new runway.

Leila Dean, 29, of campaign group Plane Stupid, said: “We came here because we are supporting the 700 villagers who will lose their homes if the plans go ahead.”

The charity worker, from Kennington, south London, added: “We are ready to move into their houses if the runway goes ahead but we don’t think it’s going to come to that because no one wants the runway.”

Demonstrators wearing red T-shirts emblazoned with the words “Stop airport expansion” gathered at airport departures carrying banners and chanting: “No third runway.”

Hemmed in by police, a group of female campaigners wearing red body-paint lay down on the ground with the words, “simply no slaughter” printed on their stomachs.

Richard Howlett, 26, of Hackney, east London, said: “We believe that Gordon Brown, with the decision he made this week, has put us on a runway for climate chaos.”

Dressed as the Prime Minister, complete with mask, the activist added: “This is take off for climate chaos but we are going to stop that. Climate change urgently needs action and this is taking us in exactly the wrong direction.”

Britain's Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon announced his government’s decision on Thursday.