THE Sheppey Cliffe Airport action group held a protest around the Clock Tower in Sheerness High Street at the weekend.

The group handed out 500 leaflets and pre-paid envelopes to encourage the public to write to the government in opposition to the proposed airport at Cliffe.

The protest followed major marches in Rochester and London earlier in the day. Activist Carol Champ described the protest as a "complete success" although she said many people were unaware of how they would be affected.

She said: "I think that the majority of people didn't realise how it would affect them and that is the frightening thing. "We are trying to point out to people that the airport will be by that big chimney they can see across the water. That's how close it is going to be."

Mrs Champ also attended the Rochester march before joining the protest in Sheerness. She said: "That was excellent and it was nice to see people from all of the vast area that will be affected coming out in support of the march."

THOUSANDS of protestors came to Rochester to voice their opposition at plans for an international airport at Cliffe. More than 3,000 people came together at the Castle Gardens on Saturday.

Some wore fancy dress, some waved placards declaring it a "Bird Brained Idea" and saying, "Don't Be An Ostrich" and "Feathered Wings not Metal Birds." But they all had a common aim - to stop an airport twice the size of Heathrow being built on their doorstep.

The strength of feeling, just days before the end of public consultation on the issue, was overwhelming. The day began with a lone folk singer performing We Shall Overcome, replacing the traditional lyrics with his own protest against the airport.

Old and young stood shoulder to shoulder as the bagpipes played and the peaceful protest, organised by the No Airport at Cliffe Action Group, started its march along Rochester High Street.

Towards the end of the rally campaigners fell silent and looked to the sky as a small plane flying a banner flew overhead - it was a timely hint of what the future could hold.