LEADING politicians and campaigners are expected to attend a major rally against expansion at Stansted Airport.

Campaign group Stop Stansted Expansion is arranging the event at the Rhodes Centre, in South Road, Bishop's Stortford, at 8pm on Wednesday, April 2.

Chaired by Bishop's Stortford MP Mark Prisk, Stop Stansted Expansion speakers Peter Sanders (chairman) and Carol Barbone (campaign director) will be joined by parliamentarians and peers, council leaders and representatives of special interest and environmental groups.

Already some 15 speakers have confirmed they will be attending, including Conservative Shadow Aviation Minister Julian Brazier, Labour peer Baroness McIntosh, MEPs Christopher Beazley and Caroline Lucas and Essex County Council leader Lord Hanningfield.

The National Trust, Woodland Trust, CPRE and Greenpeace will also address the rally.

Saffron Walden MP Sir Alan Haselhurst will give the closing address.

A Stop Stansted Expansion spokesman said: "If BAA's plans for a second runway at Stansted were to be approved it would be the UK's biggest airport development project since the Second World War.

"Over 1,000 acres of unspoilt countryside and ancient woodlands would be bulldozed, cutting a swathe through the heritage-rich villages of Molehill Green and Broxted, but the effects of BAA's proposals would be felt across the region and beyond."

Stop Stansted Expansion campaign director Carol Barbone said: "The level of opposition to BAA's plans is unprecedented as we prepare to fight - and overturn - its wholly unsustainable proposals."

Admission to the rally is free.

A number of seats are available for advance reservation and can be obtained by contacting Stop Stansted Expansion on info@stopstanstedexpansion.com or 01279 870558.