AN ECO-warrior from this area is fighting bailiffs from an underground retreat on the battlefield of Manchester Airport's planned second runway. He is known to fellow protestors as Matt and is in his early twenties.

Matt began his mole-like life as bailiffs tried to evict the remaining campaigners from the final camp, Flywood, at the site near Styal in Cheshire.

His tunnel is known as the Cakehole, and is the longest and deepest ever constructed by protestors as they try to halt workmen from starting the new runway.

The tunnel twists and turns along 25 metres, at one point dropping to 40 feet below ground level. It includes 12 steel and wood doors, which, it is hoped, will hold workmen back for up to a month.

According to spokesman for the Coalition Against Runway Two, the group behind the six-month old protest, Matt joined three other self proclaimed Eco Warriors and moved into one of a network of underground tunnels at the fortified camp.

He said: "Matt went into the tunnel last Thursday (May 29) and plans to stay there as long as possible.

"He has three others with him, including one veteran campaigner. They each have a month's supply of food and water with them and sit alone in different parts of the tunnel.

"Campaigner having a separate toilets away from their living space."

The tunnels have been branded unsafe by safety experts but protestors are already claiming victory, saying workmen have given up trying to clear tunnels under the Cliff Richard site. The cost of getting rid of the protestors has been put at £4 million.

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