Mole Valley and Banstead’s MPs have welcomed recommendations for Heathrow Airport to be expanded rather than Gatwick.

Sir Paul Beresford, who represents Mole Valley, and Crispin Blunt, MP for Reigate and Banstead, said the Airport Commission’s endorsement of Heathrow as the best location for a new runway in the UK was a sound decision.

Both MPs are part of the Gatwick Coordination Group, a body comprising MPs and local authorities covering the areas which would be affected by a possible expansion of Gatwick.

Sir Paul said: "Mole Valley’s green spaces, its core services and its unique character are all safer as a result of this decision.

"Reason and logic have prevailed over a sharp PR campaign by Gatwick.

"The Commission was faced with a choice between a strong business case for Heathrow and an economically weak and practically inadequate case for Gatwick: a choice between around £100 billion greater national economic benefit and four times more new jobs spread across the UK flowing from Heathrow versus Gatwick which lacks resilient surface transport infrastructure and any available local labour force to staff the airport.

"Unsurprising, the Commission has found in favour of Heathrow, the significantly better option for Britain.

"The report clearly shows that Heathrow can expand whilst meeting the key economic, infrastructure and environmental tests.

"The case for Gatwick is hopefully dead and buried."

But he also said "the fight is not yet over".

"I will be working up until the very moment Heathrow is chosen for expansion," he added.

Mr Blunt echoed Sir Paul and said it was "a very good day indeed for the Gatwick Coordination Group".

Epsom's MP Chris Grayling, who is Leader of the House of Commons, said he was bound by "collective responsibility" on the issue as a member of the Cabinet.

He said: "It's an interesting report, we've only just received it, and ministers will be looking at what it says and giving careful consideration before taking a view in due course."