Gatwick Airport is the biggest source of jobs in Sussex and a vital factor in the county's economy.

Its future, after many years of sustained growth, has been uncertain following September 11 and the decision by BA to concentrate many services at Heathrow.

So it is welcome news that a High Court judge has ruled Gatwick should be included in a government review of options for airport expansion.

It could well be that, in the end, the Government will decide to rule out controversial plans for a second runway there.

But to leave out one of the most important airports in Britain altogether from consideration was strange and perverse.

There was a real danger that being excluded from the process could have been deeply damaging for Gatwick and Sussex.