Airport's record-breaking month

Birmingham International Airport has recorded its busiest July ever, passenger numbers show.

More than one million people used the airport's two terminals, an increase of 7.5% over the previous year, an airport spokesman said.

More than nine million people have passed through the airport since August last year.

The airport said the increase was because of the introduction of numerous new routes.

Ryanair has recently launched 20 new flights from the airport and other airlines have changed routes, a spokesman said.

Airport officials want to extend the airport runway towards Bickenhill and Hampton-in-Arden, in Warwickshire.

Campaigners oppose the plans submitted to the Solihull Borough Council in January.

The airport said it means it would be able to accommodate larger aircraft and operate more long-haul routes, including direct flights to China and the west coast of the US.