THREE meetings called over the proposed Cliffe international airport have had disappointingly low attendances.

At Rainham only 80 turned up to Medway Council's information session. At Rochester it was about the same number.

And at Gravesend there were seats to spare at a St George's School gathering called by the No Airport At Cliffe Action Group

After the Rochester meeting, Cllr Alan Jarrett, deputy leader of Medway Council's Conservative group, said of the low number: "This was despite wide coverage of the date in all the local newspapers and radio and details in council publications.

"If you live locally, this government proposal will affect you, even if yours is not one of the 1,700 homes facing demolition.

"A five-runway international airport in Medway, twice the size of Heathrow, could have a devastating impact on the environment, to the air we breathe and in terms of noise pollution.

"If you live locally, please take part — apathy will lead to defeat. The Government has only given us until November to respond. We all need to take action now, before it's too late."

Speakers at the Gravesend protest meeting included Gravesham MP Chris Pond, Gravesham Conservative leader Mike Snelling, RSPB spokesman Perry Haines and Eileen Harding of the Dickens' Country Protection Society.

The action group's co-ordinator, Joan Goddard, warned there would be a plane taking off over Gravesend every 24 seconds if the proposal approved.

Cllr Snelling called for Gravesham Borough Council and Kent County Council to be united in the fight with their MP.

Mr Pond said: "I came here not to praise Cliffe airport, but to bury it."

Gravesham Borough Council cabinet secretary, Christopher Woodley, advised residents to visit the Cliffe airport exhibition at North West Kent College in Dering Way, Gravesend, on Thursday, September 19 to express views on the development. It will run between 2pm and 8pm.

*The next Medway Council meetings are tonight at Hundred of Hoo School, Main Road, Hoo, from 7.30pm; and at Allhallows Primary School, Avery Way, Allhallows, on Wednesday, also at 7.30pm.

An extra meeting, at Rainham School for Girls, will be held on Wednesday, October 23, at 7.30pm.