Plans to revamp Carlisle airport have been given the go ahead by the city council.

Stobart Air is eager to invest more than £30 million in facilities such as a new runway, an air traffic control centre, passenger terminal hangars, offices, warehouses and extra car parking spaces.

The company has estimated that it will take nine months to construct the runway nine. Following the expansion, more than 22,000 flights a year are expected.

Carlisle's existing runway, which was built in the 1940s, can handle only limited traffic.

Stobart, a major haulier firm which contributes millions of pounds to the Cumbrian economy, had threatened to pull out of the region if the council did not approve the scheme.

Carlisle city council leader Mike Mitchelson said: "I am absolutely delighted the work's been done and the issues have been thrashed out.

"What's important is that hopefully now the Stobart operation will remain in Cumbria and Carlisle will get an airport which will contribute hugely to the county's economy."

Stobart Air claims the airport is "ideally placed" to capitalise on Cumbria's tourism industry, especially in the Lake District.