ONE of the many warriors in the fight against the proposed Cliffe airport has been given a chance to retain her seat as a Member of the European Parliament. Kent Green Party MEP Caroline Lucas has received support from colleagues to stand in the 2004 European Parliament elections for a second term.

Dr Lucas has served the South East since she was selected as one of the UK's first two Green Party MEPs in 1999. She now tops the party's list of candidates after receiving a massive 85 per cent of local party members' votes.

She said: "It is a great honour to receive such an overwhelming vote of confidence from party members across the South-East.

"Since 1999 I have worked hard to place the Green alternative to the European agenda and challenge environmentally irresponsible proposals, such as the planned new airport at Cliffe.''

Seats on the European Parliament are decided by proportional representation and there are 11 for the South-East.