PLANS could be under way for a new flightpath which would see planes flying over the North York Moors.

The news has been forecast by the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE).

Its new publication, Flying to Distraction, highlights how, within 30 years, more than 600,000 people and 2,000sq km, including large areas of currently tranquil countryside, could be seriously affected by noise.

For the first time, the Government's options for expansion have been analysed for their implications on future flight paths.

The research has been completed on behalf of the CPRE by an independent consultant, who also examined holding stacks for planes waiting to land.

Key conclusions include the possibility of the new flightpath over the national park to help air traffic controllers manage congested skies.

The consultant also predicts an increase in the frequency of flights over many areas.

Paul Hamblin, CPRE's head of transport policy, said: "The problems of disturbance immediately around airports are well known, but our research shows that fewer and fewer areas will be immune from the effects of noise.

"The quality of life of over half a million people now lies in the hands of the Secretary of State for Transport."