A budget airline service in the North-East has proved a big success.

The first month of Ryanair's twice-daily service from Newcastle Airport to Dublin saw more than 12,000 passengers fly on the low-cost route in the first month.

Ryanair UK sales manager Kathryn Munro said: "The twice-daily service has given a tremendous boost to local tourism.

"Our research shows a quarter of inbound passengers usually stay one night and, of those who stay, the average duration of their visit is around three to four nights.

"Without Ryanair, a significant proportion of these passengers wouldn't be setting foot in the North-East at all.

"North-East people have gone crazy for Dublin too. They have found the Irish are great hosts and the entertainment is non-stop - on the streets and in the pubs and clubs."

Newcastle Airport marketing director Mike Luddy said: "With the Newcastle Gateshead Capital of Culture bid gearing up for the final stages, it is fantastic that our new, low-cost services are bringing people into our region for business and pleasure, as well as providing vital connections to other European cities.

"With extra frequency on the Ryanair route, both our leisure and business customers are benefiting from increased choice when making their travel plans. Business passengers travelling between the cities for meetings now have the convenient option of a return flight in the same day."

Rival airline KLM is offering reduced price travel on its flights from Newcastle to 37 European cities, including Barcelona, Paris, Nice and Rome.