Flights from Blackpool to Barcelona will begin in Spring 2005

Four planes will fly nine routes from Liverpool to Spain, Italy, France and Ireland from March 2005.

The Dublin-based airline has also announced a new daily route from Blackpool Airport to Barcelona-Girona.

Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, said the new services will give people in the North West access to cheaper flights.

'Better deal'

"Ryanair has been established in Liverpool since 1988," he said.

"Not only do consumers in Liverpool get a better deal, but we're going to bring many more millions of visitors here to the region.

"We are now offering more services to places that are currently un-served."

Services from Liverpool will fly to Barcelona-Reus, Limoges, Pisa, Cork, Shannon, Murcia, Granada, Nimes and Venice.

Current routes go to Barcelona-Girona, Dublin, Milan and Rome.