A radar system which might have prevented the July 2000 Concorde disaster could be introduced at Gatwick.

As well as detecting tiny pieces of debris on runways, the Tarsier system, currently under development, could also be used to protect aircraft and airports from terrorism.

A sharp object on the runway in Paris led to a burst tyre and fire which caused the crash of the Air France Concorde with the loss of 113 lives four years ago.

Tarsier can spot a 2.5in bolt a mile away and is based on millimetre-wave radar, which operates at high frequencies.

Successfully trialled at Southampton airport, Tarsier is being developed by Qinetic, the science and technology research company based at Farnborough in Hampshire.

Qinetic, formerly the Defence Evaluation Research Agency, hopes airport operator BAA will adopt the system for use at its seven UK airports, including Gatwick.

Runways are checked regularly but only through eyesight inspections by airport employees.

A Qinetic spokesman said: "A smaller version of Qinetic could be put under an aircraft and act as a surveillance system.

"It could detect any suspicious person approaching the aircraft. Tarsier could also be used to guard airport perimeter fences."