A BBC internet poll has shown that a surprising 30 per cent of people are in favour of an airport at Cliffe.

Although convincingly outvoted by those against the airport, the 858 votes for the Government proposal will come as a shock to anti-airport campaigners.

Plans for a £9 billion airport at Cliffe have caused huge controversy among the residents of the area, many of whom fear being forced to move or suffering losses to property values.

The scheme now looks dead in the water after a report commissioned by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling revealed that unless a bird management programme was established the airport could not operate safely.

But, despite the findings, the Government has still not removed Cliffe from the shortlist.

Joan Goddard, the chairman of the No Airport at Cliffe Action Group, said the results of the poll were not particularly surprising.

She said: "Thirty per cent in favour is quite high but if the poll is conducted over the whole of Kent then I'm not shocked.

"People outside Cliffe often don't really understand the issue and think the downside of the airport will not affect them. But they will be badly affected by pollution, extra road congestion and denser housing.

"People may think they want an airport because it will be easier for them to go on holiday. What they don't seem to realise is that it would be a hub airport and would not deal with package flights.

"Polls like this wind me up because the people being questioned aren't in full possession of the facts and it just gives the Government a false picture of public opinion."

The No Airport at Cliffe Action Group is currently in discussion with the police about re-organising a protest march in London.

The group had planned to march to the Houses of Parliament with banners and a giant, inflatable pig to show their objection to plans for an airport at Cliffe.

But the date had clashed with the war in Iraq and was cancelled.

The action group is also looking to push forward with its campaign to establish a regional park in the area.