Pro-expansion campaigners outside Folkestone Civic Centre

Lydd Airport has been given permission to take-off.

After seven hours of debate which went on until the early hours of Thursday, Shepway councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour to approve the airport's two planning applications - to extend the runway and to build a new terminal building.

A smiling Lydd Airport team - including managing director Jonathan Gordon - exchanged handshakes and congratulations in the packed Civic Centre council chamber as the decision, which went against officers' advice, came in at 1.50am.

Those opposed to the expansion, such as Louise Barton from Lydd Airport Action Group, countered their disappointment with talk of a public enquiry.

In all, 27 councillors supported the applications, with 12 opposed and two absentions in a lengthy and at times complicated meeting watched, at one stage, by more than 2,000 people via a webcast.

While fierce debate raged over whether or not the applications threatened protected ecological areas, many councillors responded to the airport's claims of job creation and increased prosperity for Romney Marsh.

Lydd Airport managing director Jonathan Gordon speaks after the decision

Jonathan Gordon said the council's decision to support the £25million investment plan was "a victory for the people of Shepway". He said councillors had boosted the district's future economic prospects by voting 'yes'.

Mr Gordon, pictured right, added: "We put forward a compelling case for allowing the controlled development of the airport and when councillors took stock of the overwhelming body of evidence in front of them, they were persuaded to vote in a positive way.

"They have made the right choice for the future of our community."

Responding to the decision immediately after it was announced, Mrs Barton said: "I am not surprised in some ways because the mentality of Shepway District Council is jobs at any cost.

"But it will be at a cost to them because we believe this will go to a public inquiry. We believe we have good reasons why it should to go to a public inquiry and we believe we will win a public enquiry."