ONE of the politicians leading the fight against expansion at Heathrow Airport feels the decision on the plan could now be delayed by up to a fortnight.

Hayes and Harlington MP John McDonnell is one of 40 Labour back-benchers hoping Prime Minister Gordon Brown will today (Tuesday) agree to a meeting with them.

If this happens, Mr McDonnell feels the decision by Secretary of State for Transport Geoff Hoon, which was expected as early as this afternoon, will have to be put back.

He said: "We met twice with Gordon in November and he made it clear he was prepared to listen to our arguments, but not to discuss anything.

"We are hoping that the increase in opposition from his own MPs since then will now persuade him to have a proper meeting with us.

"That means we could have to wait a week, possibly two, before the Government makes its decision."

Mr McDonnell was speaking after having attended a protest by Climate Rush at Terminal 1 departures lounge last night. More than 500 people turned up in Edwardian costume to have a picnic and demonstrate against the third runway scheme.

He said: "It got great coverage and was very successful."

Finally, it was announced this morning that the environmental pressure group Greenpeace have been secretly buying up land the size of half a football field in Sipson.

This is the planned location for the new runway and the group is pledging never to sell to BAA and the Government, a move described as throwing 'a massive spanner in the engine of Heathrow expansion."

Mr McDonnell is one of the owners of a plot of the land and said: "I was approached two weeks ago and asked to take ownership of the land. It is a fantastic idea as it will undermine the whole planning process needed to secure the third runway."

Impressionist Alistair McGowan and actress Emma Thompson are also among the owners of part of the land.