Green campaign group Friends of the Earth has said the government should invest in high-speed rail as an alternative to air travel.

The organisation believes this would encourage Britons to travel to parts of the country they have rarely or never visited, including England's northwest.

However, this form of travel must be affordable to the majority of the public, said a spokeswoman.

The Airport Operators Association recently reported that consumers have become less willing to pay for eco-friendly alternatives to flying as the economy tightens.

"Rather than support the expansion of airports, the government should invest in greener travel alternatives such as high-speed rail links ... and make it cheaper for people to travel this way," she remarked.

Last June, Network Rail launched a study to see whether it would be possible to build five high-speed lines across the UK.

A new west coast line, which would run parallel to the existing track, could reduce journey times between Manchester and London to 74 minutes, said the rail operator.