EAST Lancashire schoolchildren have a chance to enjoy unique interactive lessons at Manchester Airport in 2004 - aboard a Monarch DC10 aircraft.

The DC10, which first operated in November 1980 and made its last flight two years ago, will become a permanent exhibit at Manchester Airport's Aviation Viewing park after being taken out of commercial service.

From next Spring, kids will be able to enjoy this classroom with a difference. It has been created out of a 60-feet section of the forward fuselage and flight deck and includes 70 passenger seats. The DC10 will look exactly as it did when it flew long and short-haul flights from Manchester and will offer children exclusive access to areas previously open only to flight crew.

A 12-strong team of ground staff, engineers and contractors, worked on the project for 6 weeks and heavy cutting equipment was used to remove the front section that weighs 20 tonnes, during the painstaking operation.

Peter Hampson the General Manager of Manchester Airport, said: "We are delighted to be the first airport in the country to be offering this wonderful educational resource. It has been a real team effort."

To make a booking to visit DC10 contact The Airport Tour Centre on 0161 489 2443.