The British Deputy Prime Minister, Mr John Prescott has stepped in to adjudicate on a controversial proposal to double the number of flights at London City Airport in the capital's Docklands. London City Airport is owned by companies controlled by Irish financier, Mr Dermot Desmond.

Mr Prescott's intervention, as Environment Secretary, came as London Docklands Development Corporation's planning committee gave its backing to the application, which could create up to 3,000 jobs.

It faces a rival in the shape of Southend Airport, which has outline planning permission from Rochford District Council for a new railway station and terminal building to cater for up to 300,000 passengers a year in the same market.

Passenger numbers at London City grew 70 per cent to 1.2 million last year.