HUNDREDS of people living near Teesside and Newcastle airports could have their peace shattered by a surge in air traffic, says a study.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) has warned that huge swathes of countryside, including the North York Moors National Park, could also be blighted by aircraft noise if the Government goes ahead with plans for major airport expansions.

The CPRE says that the number of people seriously affected by noise will double by 2030 as a result of an increase in air traffic by up to a plane a minute on some flight paths.

Transport consultants TRL, author of the study, said a new flight path could be needed along the east coast of England, which would shatter the peace of the North York Moors National Park.

Paul Hamblin, CPRE head of transport policy, said: ''The problems of disturbance immediately around airports are well known. But our research shows that fewer and fewer areas will be immune.

''The quality of life of over half a million people now lies in the hands of the Secretary of State for Transport."

The Government's consultation exercise into air transport capacity closes on June 30. The CPRE wants people to send comments to the Department of Transport and to their MPs. The Government has promised an Air Transport White Paper by the end of the year.

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which allocates air space, said establishing a new flight path would only be done for proven safety reasons.

He said it would involve huge consultations, including with the RAF, which uses the area for low-flying exercises.