LONDON -- Hundreds of demonstrators opposed to government plans to expand London's Stansted airport staged a protest picnic on Sunday.
The "Stop Stansted Expansion" group claims that noise pollution and congestion will spoil the lives of thousands of people if three extra runways are built at the airport north of London.
"People are here because they are extremely angry and very concerned about their quality of life," said Norman Mead, chairman of the campaign.
In July, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said Britain needs to address huge growth in air travel or it would lose jobs and prosperity to European rivals.
