Work at the airport is expected to take up to five years

Airport bosses drew up the plans to meet an expected rise in passenger numbers from about one million this year to three million within 10 years.

Earlier plans to build a new terminal were dropped in favour of improving the existing site, with the removal of decades-old temporary buildings.

Christchurch Borough Council backed the work, which will take up to five years.

It will see the number of car parking spaces increased, a new access road created and the airport's terminal overhauled.

Work is expected to start within weeks.