GLASGOW Airport has been dropped from a list of government projects prioritised for development, sparking fears it faces being denied funding for future transport plans.

The leader of Renfrew-shire Council branded the decision as "secretive" and called on ministers to

reverse the move.

Industry sources said there was a clear case for improving links to and from the airport.

Owner BAA is expected to call for the reintroduction of improved links in the National Planning Framework.

The Scottish Government, which took Prestwick Airport into public ownership last year, said Glasgow Airport was not part of the framework as another study, involving Transport Scotland, several councils and BAA was already under way.

Renfrewshire Council leader Mark Macmillan has written to Derek Mackay, local government and planning minister, ahead of the issue being debated at the Holyrood today, calling on the Government to "account for and then reverse" its decision.

A Government spokeswoman rejected claims of secrecy, and said: "Transport Scotland's work is

ongoing but not part of the National Planning Framework. We cannot pre-judge what is going to be in that report."