A historic decision in the European Court of Human Rights could spell the end for night flights at Heathrow Airport.

Eight people living under the flightpath to Heathrow have taken their case, the first of its kind, to the court claiming aircraft flying in the early hours interfere with their right to a good night's sleep.

On Tuesday, after a one-day hearing at the court in Strasbourg, judges ruled that the case was admissible. A final decision is expected in the next few months.

John Stewart, chairman of local anti-noise campaign group, HACAN ClearSkies, accompanied the group to Strasbourg and said he was very optimistic after Tuesday's hearing and hoped this could be the end of a seven-year battle.

'There was a possibility they might have thrown it out altogether,' he said. 'Now it appears the judges think we have got a strong case and the onus is on the Government to convince them that there is a case for night flights.'

There are currently around 16 flights every night between 11.30pm and 6am, with unrestricted flights allowed from 6am onwards.

The Government needs to prove that night flights are essential for the national economy to justify them continuing.

Mr Stewart added: 'I don't believe the court was convinced they had made a good economic case and we all feel this could be the beginning of the end for night flights.'

Michael Elliot, ex-MEP for West London and chairman of the Ealing Aircraft Noise Action Group, said his group had contributed towards the costs of the case.

The fighting fund set up by HACAN ClearSkies has already received over £70,000.

'It is an achievement that they have got as far as having a court case' he said.

A spokesman for BAA, the owners of Heathrow Airport, acknowledged the difficulty in finding a balance between London's economy and the impact of aircraft on local communities.

'Heathrow is already heavily restricted during the night ,, more so than other main European airports.

We sympathise with those people that are disturbed by night flying and we do everything we can to reduce noise disturbance, such as fining airlines which breach the noise limits and charging higher landing fees for the noisiest aircraft,' a statement said.