The campaign against the Heathrow expansion plan has received a major blow - when judges today threw out a challenge by the Royal Borough and four other councils.

The councils had teamed with the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Greenpeace to get a judicial review of the Government's decision to approve the expansion.

But the judges rejected the bid today - along with a separate bid made by Friends of the Earth and the environmental group Plan B.

The Royal Borough lead councillor Simon Dudley said: "We are obviously very disappointed that the judges have not supported us.

"We will wait for the full judgement which is 500 pages long before we decide what to do next.

"It could be there are things in it of importance to residents."

He said a full statement would be made by the council later today.

John Stewart, chair of HACAN which gives a voice to residents impacted by Heathrow, said: "This ruling removes a significant hurdle in Heathrow's bid to get a third runway but campaigners have vowed that they will continue their fight to stop expansion at the airport."

Heathrow is currently drawing up plans to consult on its detailed proposals for a third runway in June.

It hopes to put its final plans to a public inquiry in 2020. Many local authorities and campaigners will be expected to challenge those plans at the inquiry.

A Heathrow spokesman said: “We are delighted with today’s ruling which is a further demonstration that the debate on Heathrow expansion has been had and won, not only in Parliament, but in the courts also.

“We are getting on with delivering the once-in-a-generation project that will connect Britain to global growth, providing thousands of new jobs and an economic boost for this country and its future generations.”

It is thought that Extinction Rebellion might now turn its attention to Heathrow.

If Heathrow finally gets the all-clear, it aims to open the new runway in 2025/26.