The Save Manston Airport group took their protest to the very top this week as they visited to 10 Downing Street to hand in their petition.

The team were accompanied by Thanet MPs Laura Sandys and Sir Roger Gale, along with former airport workers and members of the public.

They presented the Save Manston Airport Petition, which has gathered more than 26,500 signatures, to Prime Minister David Cameron’s office as part of their campaign to reopen the airport and reinstate dozens of jobs.

Keith Churcher, group chairman, said: “The petition calls for Manston Airport to remain open as an airport, serving Kent, London and surrounding areas.

“We’re asking the Prime Minister to intervene and help negotiate talks with the owner and assist Thanet District Council with the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and get Manston back up as an airport.”

A public meeting took place at Marlowe Academy in Ramsgate on Saturday.

At the meeting Thanet District Council leader Iris Johnston said that she has an independent viability study for Manston Airport which is needed as evidence for a CPO and she said that it reports the airport to be viable and much more positive than people realised.