Ash cloud hits flights to and from Blackpool airport

The eruption is the second in Iceland in less than a month

Airline passengers in Blackpool have suffered disruption to their flights as an ash cloud from a volcano in Iceland drifted across the UK.

The Air Traffic Control Service (Nats) imposed restrictions after the Met Office warned ash could damage engines.

Nats said no flights would be allowed in or out of UK airspace until at least 1900 BST on Friday.

Blackpool Airport said safety was "paramount" and thanked people for their patience.

The eruption under a glacier in the Eyjafjallajoekull area of Iceland is the second in the country in less than a month.

Initially, Nats said all flights would be grounded from 1200 BST until 1800 BST on Thursday.

That was later twice extended to 1900 BST on Friday, leaving thousands of passengers across the UK stranded.

Blackpool Airport is advising passengers to check its website for updates.

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