Carlisle Airport has finally opened its new runway.

The move is a landmark step in efforts to get commercial flights off the ground.

Bosses at the Carlisle Lake District Airport had originally planned to start passenger flights - to London, Belfast and Dublin - in June.

It was then put back to September, but suffered further delays largely due to problems recruiting air traffic controllers.

The launch of these flights, operated by Loganair, will now take place in the spring, with a firm date yet to be confirmed.

However the opening of the new runway - which is now being used by private aircraft of varying sizes - is a significant step.

It means air traffic controllers can now get the many hours of experience they need to build up ahead of the commercial launch.

The new, improved runway will allow much bigger aircraft, up to the size of a Boeing 737, to land and take off from Carlisle.

The Civil Aviation Authority gave the approval for it to open late last week.

Aircraft have now been using it over the weekend, with the official launch taking place today.

Kate Willard, head of corporate projects at Stobart Group, said: "Today is really important. It's a great next step forward towards our opening of commercial services next spring.

"It is testament to brilliant partnership working - the team building our runway, the regulator, colleagues at London Southend and partners in Cumbria - to support this significant project.

"It is a really big milestone. The runway - the runway that we need for these commercial services - is open."

Private pilot Anthony Bowles was first to take to the skies this morning.

He has been based at Carlisle for over 20 years, but has had to move elsewhere while the runway was upgraded.

"When I first came to Carlisle they were talking about a new runway. It's taken a while to happen, but it's very significant that we now have it. It is a major development," he said.