The second runway is one of several ideas for the Midlands which the government has put up for consultation.

Another possibility is to build a new airport between Coventry and Rugby.

These ideas could then be included in a white paper aimed at increasing air travel in the future.

'Resist proposals'

Solihull councillor Jim Ryan told BBC Radio WM: "I am having people contact me, even those on holiday in this country from America and Australia, offering support.

"Pensioners have been writing to me asking me how they can help. Even though they are frail, they are prepared to help with petitions.

"Overall people are beginning to realise the magnitude of the proposals and they are going to resist them."

The government put forward the plans in July following a study which looked at how airports could grow to match passenger expansion.

Strong opposition

There has been a growing number of passengers using UK airports.

Over the next 20 years, the figure is set to double to more than 400 million a year - and Whitehall is trying to come up with proposals to handle the demand.

People living around Birmingham airport said they would strongly oppose any plans for a second landing strip.

But passengers have welcomed any further improvement in the facilities at Birmingham - which already handles 800,000 passengers a month.