Heathrow is to begin consulting local residents on the subject of its proposed expansion.

The process will start on February 3rd and will involve 120,000 letters being sent out to those directly affected by the plans. Other residents from outside this area are also invited to send their comments online. The airport will also offer a series of drop-in sessions in nine locations for people to come in and discuss the matter personally.

Chief executive Colin Matthews said: "This consultation is to make sure we correctly understand what local people value and that we can take that into account as we refine our proposal." He admitted that although public opinion on the expansion is divided, he believed that everybody had a vested interested in making sure the runway is developed in the best way possible, should it be given the go-ahead.

The results of the survey will be used to refine the airport's expansion proposal before it is submitted to the Airports Commission in May.