A Birmingham MP yesterday called for proposals for a second runway at Birmingham International Airport to be scrapped.

John Hemming, whose Yardley constituency borders the airport site, called for the Government to help remove the blight on residents in Sheldon.

The newly-elected Liberal Democrat MP was speaking during a debate on climate change at the House of Commons.

He said the proposals to expand the airport were only being considered because the Government thinks air transport will increase massively in the next few years. The MP said in a question to a Liberal Democrat colleague: "Does my honourable friend agree that the Government must revisit its plans for growth in air travel.

"A second runway proposed for Birmingham airport in my constituency is blighting many residents of Sheldon."

Elliot Morley, Minister of State for the Environment and Agri-Environment at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said a conference exploring the benefits of environmentally friendly transport would be taking place in Birmingham later this year.