Three thousand protesters have marched against any further expansion of Heathrow airport.

The Make A Noise Carnival featured stilt-walkers, brass bands and hundreds of people in fancy dress, with the crowds addressed by politicians and environmentalists.

The demonstrators walked from Hatton Cross to Sipson, the village that will be lost if plans for a third runway at the west London airport go ahead.

At Sipson, the protesters gathered in a field to form a huge "NO" big enough to be visible to passing aircraft.

Many people travelled from across Europe to be part of the demonstration.

Anna Serdaris, 50, from Greece, said: "We have the same problem at Athens airport and I felt I needed to show my support. It's ironic that I've had to fly here this morning to protest against airport expansion but people need to listen!"

Also in the demonstration was a French contingent protesting against a new airport being built in the city of Nantes. Laymond Beranger, 26, a video director, said: "Again, we have the same thing happening in my city and I knew that I had to come to London to protest, we must be united.

"The difference between the protests in England and the protests in France is that this is much more peaceful and much more fun, less aggressive."

A local villager and Hayes councillor, Mary O'Connor, 65, said: "I've lived here for 47 years and have been part of the protest from the very beginning. Back then there were only 10 of us marching, now look how many of us there are, thousands. It's great to see how much momentum it's gained, we're certain of victory."

London's deputy mayor, Richard Barnes, gave a speech to the protesters halfway through the march. He apologised that London mayor Boris Johnson could not be there in person but said he was fully behind the campaign.

Environmental campaign group Greenpeace gave their backing to the demonstration, as did the Archbishop of Canterbury.

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