Protesters target Heathrow with music, jams and action

They will carry out co-ordinated attacks designed to cause maximum disruption. Protesters said they wanted to make the Government pay for "broken promises" by targeting leading MPs and Heathrow officials.

Hardcore activists have enlisted residents from some of west London's wealthiest boroughs to attend militant training camps aimed at bringing Heathrow to a standstill.

John Stewart, chairman of protest group HACAN ClearSkies, said plans included jamming roads around Heathrow with cars on a go-slow, chaining themselves up at the airport, blasting loud music early in the morning outside MPs' homes and even invading a runway or boarding a plane.

Mr Stewart said even middle-aged housewives were taking up the fight. "They are keen on a 'go-slow' around the perimeter around Heathrow, spending a day blocking the entrance to BAA's headquarters and playing music," he said.

"Going on to the runway or boarding a plane is very much a last resort. That is all or nothing - it is almost life or death. There is no question that frustration is mounting. These ideas are coming from residents, many of whom have lived in the area for 20 or 30 years.

"They have lived with a series of broken promises and there is a real anger that they have been messed around.

"There is a determination that even if it requires direct action they will not be messed around this time." At a conference in July, HACAN ClearSkies members began formulating plans for direct action attacks.

Activist group Seeds For Change were enlisted to help train members in non-violent direct action, including how to climb security fences, organise flashmobs, and what to do if arrested.

Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon is expected to give the green light for expansion plans before Christmas to increase Heathrow's capacity by 50 per cent, allowing a controversial third runway and sixth terminal to be built.

Mr Stewart said that as soon as the announcement is made, a flash mob of up to 600 people will descend on Heathrow's new Terminal 5 to protest.

Then later this month plans will be finalised for further action in the New Year.

"It is being ratcheted up. People feel they have nothing to lose even if it does mean being arrested, many of them middle-aged ladies. A lot of these people are our members. They are not the sort of people who ever contemplated breaking the law before, far less blocking BAA's headquarters or boarding a plane.

"Hopefully it will make the powers that be think twice."

The news comes ahead of the National Climate March organised by the Campaign against Climate Change this Saturday, where protesters will march through London for a rally at Parliament Square.

Speakers will include Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, Green Party leader Caroline Lucas, and former environment minister Michael Meacher.

A spokesman for airport operator BAA said they agreed "there is a debate to be had about aviation and airport expansion", but added: "The 180,000 passengers who travel through Heathrow airport daily have a right to go about their lawful travel plans without being harassed or intimidated."