Vince Cable has written to Aviation Minister Theresa Villiers after constituents flooded him with letters complaining about an increase in aircraft noise.

The Twickenham MP has also contacted Colin Matthews, chief executive of BAA, about the “deluge of correspondence” he has received concerning Heathrow’s controversial runway trials.

Heathrow has insisted the four month test, in which the airport can use both runways simultaneously if planes are running 10 minutes late, would not lead to any additional flights but that a prevailing easterly wind had caused the disruption.

The Business Secretary said residents living under the flight paths were convinced noise had increased since the trial started on November 1.

He said: “Almost unanimously, they believe the increase is as a result of the trial that is taking place in relation to runway alternation. “This is clearly a widespread view across Twickenham, Teddington, some parts of Hampton, Whitton and Heathfield and residents have urged me to represent what are legitimate concerns to BAA and to the Aviation Minister.”

He said residents feared a second trial during summer next year would be much worse when they have their windows open and are using their gardens.

He said: “I have asked BAA’s chief executive, Colin Matthews, as a very high priority, to provide me with an explanation of what, to judge from my correspondence, is a very significant increase in noise levels causing distress, anger and hostility to the current trial.”

Campaign group Hacan Clearskies was worried the trials could spell the end of residents’ half day of rest from the sound of aircraft roaring overhead.

Planes landing at Heathrow normally switch runways halfway through the day to ensure households in neighbouring boroughs have a break from the noise.

John Stewart, chairman of Hacan Clearskies, said: “The complaints to the local MP do need to be taken seriously by BAA. Hacan will be meeting with BAA at the end of the week to talk about the impact of the trials so far.”

A spokeswoman for BAA said residents in areas including Twickenham and Teddington would have noticed more aircraft noise because of a prevailing wind from the east, meaning more planes take off from that side of the airport.

She said the trials had not caused the disruption, adding: “Unusually, Heathrow has experienced easterly winds for approximately two-thirds of November; in contrast to recent years where this weather trend has been experienced for approximately a third of the time at Heathrow.”