Fifteen air hostesses swapped their glamorous jets for an open-top bus to show their support for a new Gatwick runway.

Workers in Crawley Labour MP Laura Moffatt's office peeked out of the window as the busload of beauties waved from across the street.

And the tables were turned on builders below them, who for once were wolf-whistled by the girls.

It was a light-hearted day to give businesses the chance to support airport expansion and the money it would generate.

Despite the jovial atmosphere, business leaders were serious about making their case.

The anti-runway lobby, with its vociferous support, had previously rained on the Yes campaign's parade at a weekend demonstration in the town centre.

This time representatives from Sussex Enterprise, Amicus, British Airways, Excel, Monarch, Air 2000, Thomas Cook and Britannia got their message across.

Steven Gauge, head of policy and communications at Sussex Enterprise, took the microphone as the bus drove through town.

He said: "Don't listen to people who say a new runway is going to ruin their lives, the threat is massively exaggerated.

"The people who protest about a new runway at Gatwick have to remember they benefit from the airport as well. It's good for the economy, it's good for jobs."