Boris Johnson should visit Medway and explain why he wants to build an airport here, according to the council.

The authority has called on the London Mayor to travel down from the capital in the wake of a trip by his aviation adviser to the county.

Daniel Moylan visited Maidstone to talk to members of the Kent Economic Board on Tuesday (September 24).

Leader Cllr Rodney Chambers (Con) said a visit by Mr Johnson would be a “golden opportunity” for them to “state why it is the worst possible option”.

He said: “We are all agreed we need to invest in aviation to make sure that UK industry remains competitive for decades to come.

“However, Mr Moylan seems intent on pushing for a scheme that lacks any credibility; would see tens of billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money needlessly spent; would damage UK industry as it would lead to the closure of Heathrow and would see an airport placed – for most people – on the wrong side of London.”

This is not the first time Mr Johnson has been invited down to Medway.

Four years ago councillors tried to arrange a meeting with him, but failed.

When asked by the KM Group earlier this year if he would come to the Towns, he said: “Of course, but we’ll have to wait and see which option we think is best but if we do go for that option then of course I will.”

The government has set up a commission to decide what to do about the country’s aviation capacity.

The Airports Commission will issue an interim report in December narrowing down the options.

Cliffe and Grain have both been suggested as potential sites for an airport in the past.

A final report from the commission is due after the next election in 2015.