Campaigners against the Heathrow expansion plan have been given a chance to overturn an earlier legal ruling that blocked their efforts.

The Royal Borough has been at the forefront of the campaign against expansion but its earlier attempt to block it brought along with four neighbouring councils was dismissed by judges in May, along with similar applications by residents, environmental charities and the Mayor of London.

On Monday they were all given the go-ahead to appeal against the ruling and a hearing will begin on October 21.

Royal Borough leader Cllr Simon Dudley said: "It is very positive news, almost surprising as it is something we had feared might not happen but now it can. After the recent council meeting we know we have across party support to continue our action against expansion."

The day after he gave his initial reaction the country learned that its new Prime Minister was to be Boris Johnson - who has previously opposed Heathrow expansion.

Cllr Dudley is being careful in his response.

He said: "When asked about Heathrow Mr Johnson has said he has grave reservations. I think he will want to follow this legal action carefully but the true test will be who he appoints as his Secretary of State for Transport."

Opponents of the Heathrow expansion say the Government failed to properly deal with the impact on air quality, climate change, noise and congestion when it approved expansion.

At last Thursday's meeting of the Royal Borough's Windsor Town Forum opposition to Heathrow expansion was fierce.

The council's Environmental officer Chris Nash said aircraft noise would double over the villages of Datchet and Horton and warned 'they will be crippled by noise impact'.

Major concerns about potential traffic increase through Old Windsor were also raised.

Retired Old Windsor borough councillor Malcolm Beer - who was the borough's representative on the Heathrow Consultation committee for many years - described the Heathrow expansion plan as 'absolute stupidity'.

He said: "We have got to get the message across, it is diabolical, a real disaster that looming in front of us."