Eco-warrior fined for airport damage

Protesters occupying the site of Manchester Airport's planned second runway lost their battle to avoid eviction yesterday as Swampy, the star eco-warrior, was fined pounds 400 for criminal damage on the site.

The High Court in Manchester granted applications for possession orders by the airport authorities waiting to start work on the pounds 172m project, but the protesters - occupying a network of trees and tunnels on the site in the Bollin Valley, Cheshire - said they planned an immediate appeal against the decision and would resist any attempt to move them. In Crewe, meanwhile, Swampy, alias 23-year-old Daniel Hooper (pictured above), was fined pounds 400 by magistrates for criminal damage and breaching conditions of bail.