Gloucester's former Labour MP Parmjit Dhanda is helping to lead campaigners supporting the expansion of London's Heathrow airport.

Mr Dhanda has been appointed as the new executive director of Back Heathrow.

The former MP who represented Gloucester from 2001-10 and also held ministerial posts went to school in Hayes and was a former Hillingdon councillor.

Mr Dhanda will head the campaign by more than 100,000 residents, businesses and community groups backing Heathrow's expansion.

The Back Heathrow campaign website says the Government support for a new runway at the airport is a significant win for thousands of residents.

"Building a new runway at Heathrow has plenty of cross-party support in Parliament and backing from the majority of international airlines, business groups, trade unions, exporters and communities surrounding the airport. This is a golden opportunity for the UK that must not be squandered.

"Back Heathrow wants to safeguard local jobs and secure a bright future for Heathrow, a major community asset," says the website.