Champagne corks were popping when former Emmerdale barman Paul Lambert helped celebrate low-cost airline Flybe’s first flight from Leeds-Bradford Airport to London Gatwick.

Actor Mathew Bose, who worked in the world-famous Woolpack pub on the popular Yorkshire soap, presented souvenir magnums of fizz to the first passengers.

Flybe stepped in following BMI’s decision in March to axe its service from Leeds Bradford to London Heathrow.

Matthew also presented a bottle of champagne to Flybe’s first passenger with onward connection to Jersey, Margaret Smith, of Burley-in-Wharfedale, who was flying to Gatwick and then on to Jersey on business.

Flybe can take passengers to 17 destinations in the UK and it also has an arrangement with airline partners to fly to 140 overseas destinations.