A decision on Heathrow Airport 's proposed third runway should be made before Parliament's summer recess, according to dozens of MPs urging action.

A total of 66 MPs submitted an early day motion to urge Prime Minister David Cameron and other ministers to make a decision on the south-east runway in July.

The commons motion said it is “vital for the prosperity of the nations and regions of the UK and urges ministers to make sure that this delay is not repeated ”.

It also warned that "every additional period of delay will cost the UK billions in lost trade and investment and damage the UK's competitiveness”.

Members from all parties, including the Scottish National Party, Labour, the Democratic Unionist Party, the Ulster Unionist Party, the Social Democratic and Labour Party and Plaid Cymru have signed the motion.

A Department for Transport spokesperson told getwestlondon: “The case for aviation expansion is clear – but it’s vitally important we get the decision right so that it will benefit generations to come.

"The government is continuing to consider all three shortlisted options and the Commission’s evidence, as well as progressing the package of further work announced in December."

They added: "We are undertaking more work on environmental impacts, including air quality, noise and carbon so we can develop the best possible package of measures to mitigate the impacts on local people.

"This work will conclude by the summer.”

On Wednesday (May 11), the airport's CEO John Holland-Kaye announced a series of changes, including a ban on night flights and an emission charge to tackle air quality , in a bid to persuade Mr Cameron to decide on a Heathrow expansion over Gatwick.

Mr Holland-Kaye also said the decision could be July, or October, of 2016.