A joke is doing the rounds among Conservative MPs about the Feltham and Heston by-election in Hounslow.

Hounslow just happens to be very close to Heathrow airport in Hillingdon, where many local people have been involved in the campaign to oppose a third runway.

One Tory MP who recently returned from some door-knocking in Feltham and Heston said:

"I didn't realise how close the planes fly to the ground until I went to campaign this week."

Really?

"Yes, really. They fly so low that one air stewardess actually leaned down to offer me a drink."

It ain't that funny. But then again by-elections can be pretty humourless at the best of times.

Tags: By-election, Feltham and Heston, Heathrow, Third runway