Stansted Airport was closed this morning after climate change activists breached the perimeter fence and occupied a secure area near the main runway.

Around 60 activists from the Plane Stupid anti-airport expansion group broke through the fence at around 0315 GMT.

They then used concrete blocks and security fencing, which they had brought with them, and built a "stockade" around 50 metres from the runway.

The protesters then chained themselves to the fencing.

Protester Lily Kember told the BBC via mobile phone that the protesters used bolt-cutters to breach the fence.

Stansted Airport Delays

Police moved in to remove the protesters.

Some 59 protesters have since been arrested on charges relating to aggravated trespass, attempting to gain access to a private area and conspiracy to commit a public nuisance.

Once all the protesters were removed, the airport opened again with flights resuming at 0810 GMT.

However, several flights were diverted or delayed.

Stansted was due to receive the first flights at 0610 GMT.

The two-hour delay caused 21 departures to be cancelled and several incoming flights being diverted or delayed.

Disruption has continued throughout the day. Ryanair, a major operator at Stansted, has cancelled 52 flights. Hundreds of passengers are delayed.

Passengers are advised to contact their airline.

Airport operator BAA criticised the protest, calling the action "illegal".

Plane Stupid

The Plane Stupid protest group said on its website that the protest aimed to draw attention to CO2 emissions by the aviation industry.

One unnamed protester told the BBC via mobile phone: "We're here because our parents' generation has failed us and it's now down to young people to stop climate change by whatever peaceful means we have left."

The group has been a vocal critic of the government's airport expansion plans.

In October the government announced after a public inquiry it would allow Stansted to expand to take 35 million passengers per year, up from 10 million per year now.

Source - Airport International's Aviation Correspondent

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