A LEADING protester at Manchester Airport's proposed second runway is from Preston, the Citizen can exclusively reveal.

And yesterday (Wednesday 4 June), Eco-warrior 'Normal' Norman led campaigners in a roof-top protest at the G-Mex Centre, where proposed runway constructors AMEC were holding their annual meeting.

The long-haired Preston protester balanced on the building's clock and shouted down to stunned spectators. The warriors opened up a banner which read 'Pollution Kills', and demanded a meeting with AMEC bosses.

An eye-witness said the situation was intimidating and added: "It's very dangerous. One slip and they could get killed."

Norman, who is 21 and comes from Frenchwood, has barricaded himself in underground tunnels and taken part in tree-top protests at the runway site near Style, Cheshire, where he has been since March.

He vows to continue his fight for a few weeks before joining environmental protests in Sherwood Forest and Lyminge Forest in Kent.

Norman said: "The environment is extremely important. Somebody has to take a stand."

He was also involved in protests against the M65 at Cuerden Valley Park 18 months ago.

A fellow Eco-warrior said: "Norman has been one of the most ardent ringleaders in the runway protest. He is a committed environmentalist."

Former Beirut hostage Terry Waite, who has led the residents' campaign, told the Citizen: "In the future we'll look back and wish we'd taken more notice of these brave young people."

Contractors on the £170 million runway plan to start work next week. Evicting the Eco-warriors is said to have cost £4 million. Nine protesters remain in tunnels.

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