ACTIVISTS gathered in Hillingdon to discuss Camp for Climate Action 2007 in a bid to help stop the expansion of Heathrow Airport.

Organisers and Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, John McDonnell, received a massive turnout at the meeting last Thursday (July 23), where contentious issues surrounding the airport and the environment were debated.

Geoff Johnson, campaigner and member of the Camp, said: "We talked about how we could change things by working together and making sure the problems surrounding the climate are resolved.

"Everyone is really looking forward to the Camp as it is a way to express our feelings. There are many negative views about us but all we try to do is provide solutions on a local level."

Mr McDonnell, who is backing the operation, said: "I am formally welcoming Climate Camp to my constituency. They're going to put our campaign on the map in a way that some of us have tried, but not been able to."

A BAA spokesman told the Hillingdon Times: "We respect peoples' rights to protest lawfully, but any breach of the airport bylaws will be dealt with by the police."

Camp for Climate Action is taking place at Heathrow from August 14 - 21, and includes a day of mass direct action aiming to disrupt the activities at the airport and the aviation industry.