More than three-quarters of local businesses support plans to expand Heathrow Airport, according to a recent survey.

Hounslow Chamber of Commerce found that 76 per cent of companies in the borough would be happy to see the airport grow.

Nigel Milton, Heathrow policy director, said: "We welcome this support from Hounslow businesses. They understand the vital contribution Heathrow makes to local jobs and they are acutely aware how expanding our hub airport would boost the local economy."

Heathrow currently supports 114,000 jobs either directly through positions within the airport boundary, or via support companies such as courier firms. 

This accounts for approximately one in five roles in the Hounslow area. 

The survey results found that more than half of respondents had located their firms deliberately to benefit from the business that comes through the airport or its supply chain.

Heathrow has recently released its 'One Hub or None' report, which claimed the UK’s connectivity needs can only be met by a single hub airport. 

It also argued it is not possible for non-hub airports such as Gatwick, Stansted or Birmingham to add the extra connectivity to emerging markets that the country needs.