By Joshua Askew, George Carden And Emily Coady-Stemp

Copyright bbc

Kiok Remy, who lives in Crawley, said the expansion was a “good thing” economically as it would bring more money and people to the area.

“We need the economy to run,” he told BBC Radio Sussex.

Meanwhile, Jyotirmoy Dewan, landlord of The Charlwood pub in Charlwood, Surrey, called the announcement “exciting”.

“It means lots of job opportunities, more tourism and business,” he said.

“Lots of pubs have been closing down. This really is a fantastic opportunity for us.

“More people will come from all over the world.”

The government has said the project will create “thousands of jobs”, though some experts dispute this, arguing the move only shifts employment from other parts of the country.