EAST Lancashire should feel the benefit of a new flights into Blackpool from Dublin and London, a tourist boss said today.

The chairman of the Lancashire Tourism Partnership, Anthony Goldstone, said cut-price airline Ryanair's decision to start operating from the seaside airport should result in more visitors exploring East Lancashire.

Mr Goldstone met with Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary at Blackpool airport this week to discuss his plans to run flights to Dublin and London.

The airline boss also met other key figures from the tourism industry to outline his hopes for Lancashire's air terminal.

The airline believes an extra 100,000 passengers will travel to Blackpool

airport each year as a result of its expanded operations.

Around 3,500 passengers are booked to fly in the first month of the new direct flights.

East Lancashire is already promoted at tourist information centres around Lancashire as well as on the internet, and Mr Goldstone said: "This is a major boost for our tourism economy. The whole of Lancashire will benefit.

"People will be drawn to the attractions of East Lancashire. They will be more accessible than ever before."

Blackpool is the country's oldest airport and boasts excellent transport links with towns and cities throughout the North West.