Plans for a new airport in the Thames Estuary to boost the UK's aviation capacity have been ruled out by the Airports Commission.

The project, which was dubbed 'Boris Island' due to mayor of London Boris Johnson's support for it, was ruled out on environmental and economic grounds.

According to Airports Commission chair Sir Howard Davies, even the least ambitious version of the scheme would cost £70 billion to £90 billion to construct.

"We are not persuaded that a very large airport in the Thames Estuary is the right answer to London’s and the UK's connectivity needs," he said.

Mr Johnson branded the decision "myopic" and continued to support the idea, describing the Thames Estuary airport as "the only credible solution" to the capacity problem.

The Airports Commission will continue to examine the remaining proposals, considering the case for a new runway at either Gatwick or Heathrow, or the extension of the existing runway at Heathrow.