Supporters of a third runway at Heathrow urged David Cameron to stop "dithering" during a rally in Hounslow.

More than 50 people from across the borough of Hounslow gathered in Isleworth on Thursday, January 21 at a meeting organised by the pro-expansion group Back Heathrow.

They posed outside the venue with posters bearing the message: "Say yes to a bigger Heathrow".

Tony Caccavone, director of the airport's expansion programme, and Stephen Fry, chief executive of Hounslow Chamber of Commerce, which backs a third runway, both addressed the audience.

The meeting, which took place at Spring Grove House, within West Thames College's Isleworth campus, was the first of a series of community campaign events being organised by Back Heathrow.

The group was set up using funding from Heathrow Airport but claims to be independent and to have more than 100,000 supporters living in boroughs surrounding the airport.

Back Heathrow campaign director Rob Gray said: "It was a very lively meeting and there was a clear sense of frustration among residents who feel the politics of dithering harms livelihoods and community prospects.

"Yet there was also a tremendous sense of determination to make sure that Heathrow expansion actually happens."

'Government really needs to make a decision'

Pierluigi Vullo, who lives in Isleworth and was among those attending the meeting, said: "The government really needs to make a decision on Heathrow.

"I am in medical research and run a number of international doctors' workshops in west London near the airport and have regularly seen these switched to Frankfurt because of the better connectivity there."

John Stewart, chairman of anti-Heathrow expansion campaign group HACAN, said: "The fact that Back Heathrow could get little more than 50 people to its meeting belies its repeated claim that hordes of people in west London are clamouring for a third runway."

The government postponed its decision on whether Heathrow or Gatwick should get a new runway for six months before Christmas to consider environmental concerns.

The Airports Commission has recommended a third runway at Heathrow, provided a number of conditions, including a ban on night flights, can be met.

The Back Heathrow meeting took place four days before 13 anti-expansion campaigners who broke into Heathrow's north runway were convicted of aggravated trespass and entering a security restricted area.