LOCAL councillors are to carry out a detailed study of plans for the £56m expansion of Durham Tees Valley Airport.

Middleton St George Parish Council has agreed to set up a committee to examine the scheme after dozens of residents expressed fears.

The proposals include the extension and refurbishment of the main terminal, the creation of a cargo and maintenance village, extended car parks and a new sewage treatment plant.

Bosses also want to develop a business park, hotel, pub and restaurant on the site.

Parish council chairwoman Doris Jones said: "We need time to sit down, digest the plans and discuss them.

"They have a long way to go and we need to watch them and work with them.

"It is far better if the village works as one unit on this matter, otherwise we will fragment the value of what we are trying to do."