Under safety regulations, Breedon Church in Leicestershire would cause a hazard to planes landing at a new runway.

The Saxon church is in the village of Breedon-on-the-Hill and still holds services, weddings and other religious ceremonies.

The concerns were raised at an open day about the new runway where the public were asked to give their views on the plan.

It is criminal to think in terms of demolishing the church

Maurice Harvey, church member

Paul Grimley said the church would fall foul of international safety regulations because nothing higher than 45-metres is allowed within four kilometres of the runway.

He told BBC Radio Derby: "I did the calculations and worked out the church would be a hazard to aircraft manoeuvring."

This means that if the plans are approved the church could be knocked down - an idea that has angered residents near the Castle Donington airport.

'Tooth and nail'

Maurice Harvey, a church member, said: "It is criminal to think in terms of demolishing the church.

"Once this becomes known locally residents will be horrified, they will fight it tooth and nail, there is not question of it."

The proposal at East Midlands Airport is part of a wider plan by the government to increase air capacity in the UK.

The Department for Transport said the plans were only at the consultation stage and comments from the public would be considered before a final decision is made.