A study has suggested that more than 200,000 jobs could be lost if Heathrow closes.

The research by Regeneris was jointly commissioned by Enterprise M3, Buckinghamshire Thames Valley, West London Business, Oxfordshire and Thames Valley Berkshire. These organisations and bodies represent an area known as 'the Western Wedge' due to strong performances from local businesses.

It argues that one out of every 20 jobs along the M3 and M4 regions as far as Basingstoke, Newbury, Guildford and Oxford were linked to the airport. Closing Heathrow would affect all of these positions.

Government consultations are currently ongoing regarding a third - and possibly fourth - expansion at Heathrow. Yet there are also talks of building a new airport which could replace it - the Mayor of London wants a new hub located along the Thames Estuary.

The full study - submitted to the Airports Commission - looks at three scenarios. One involves building a new hub to replace Heathrow, while another looks at expanding the existing airport instead. The third option is to do or change nothing.