The new route to Aberdeen has been set up to help off-shore oil and gas workers travel between the North Sea and Morecambe Bay.

City Star Airlines said it expected Scottish holidaymakers travelling to the seaside to also use the service.

The route would also appeal to English tourists wishing to visit the Scottish Highlands, the airline said.

'Beautiful city'

A spokesman for City Hopper Airports Limited, which owns Blackpool Airport, said: "There is no doubt that this will be an extremely popular service for all those people who have to travel regularly between this area and the north east of Scotland.

"But we will be doing all we can to encourage tourists to take advantage of the new flights.

"Aberdeen is a beautiful city and it is surrounded by some of the finest countryside in Scotland."

The Dornier 328 aircraft will carry 32 passengers on the 72 minute journey.