A NEW regional airline is launching daily return flights from Manchester to Bristol and Plymouth.

Air Southwest will have three return flights a day to Bristol and two to Plymouth.

The company, which is charging from £25 one way, says it will put the Westcountry into reach for people in Greater Manchester without motorway traffic jam misery.

The new services will start on March 1, 2004, but bookings for all flights are being taken from Monday, September 1, at www.airsouthwest.com or by phoning 0870 241 8202.

Malcolm Naylor, managing director of Air Southwest, said: "We believe customers in the North-west will find our new fares and destinations very attractive.