FLIGHTY barmaid Samantha Failsworth took time off from sexy Coronation Street antics for a date at Manchester Airport.

Actress Tina Hobley brightened the scene when British Midland opened its £500,000 Diamond EuroClass lounge in readiness for the launch this weekend of a new service from Manchester to Heathrow.

The UK's second largest airline is now involved in a head-on battle with British Airways to attract business fliers.

Eight daily return flights - with reduced fares and new, wider seats in the business class cabin - start on Sunday.

The new lounge, which is next to Gate 18 in Terminal 1, is for business class passengers and members of British Midland's frequent flyer programme, Diamond Club.

Sir Michael Bishop, the chairman of British Midland, said: "The new Diamond EuroClass lounge at Manchester Airport is one of the largest in the British Midland network, supporting our view that this is one of the most significant route launches in the UK since we broke the British Airways monopoly on the Heathrow to Belfast route in 1984."

A plaque was unveiled by Mr Geoff Muirhead, Chief Executive of Manchester Airport.

He said: "We believe that competition on any route will increase the market and reduce fares.

"This can only benefit our passengers."

Mr Muirhead said it was the beginning of a "long and mutually beneficial partnership between Manchester Airport and British Midland".

And it was one which would open opportunities for new international routes from Manchester.

British Midland was recently voted Best UK Domestic Airline by Executive Travel magazine.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.