Norwich International Airport is boosting its ranks ahead of a busy summer season by adding more than 50 new staff to its workforce.

The airport has moved to bolster its services to passengers by bringing in workers to help with baggage handling, terminal check in, customer care, security and catering.

And some of the staff have come directly from City College Norwich after students embarked on an educational challenge earlier this year to learn more about the airport's operations during a 'student takeover'.

The announcement follows a buoyant period for Norfolk's travel hub after it reported a significant increase in passenger growth and a raft of new flight services.

More than 460,000 people from across the region used the airport last year as it recorded 7.6pc rise in passenger traffic.

The biggest jump was in the holidaymaker category, which increased 45pc on 2012, with 107,000 people taking holiday flights from Norwich.

Andrew Bell, chief executive of Norwich International Airport, said: 'We are pleased to welcome so many new recruits to our airport team this summer and delighted that our relationship with City College Norwich has helped students take their first steps into their chosen line of work.

'Everyone at the airport works extremely hard to maintain high levels of service with the aim of being the airport of choice for friendliness and great customer service.'

Meanwhile, Joe Mulhall, curriculum programme manger at City College Norwich, said: 'City college Norwich's relationship with Norwich airport clearly demonstrates the benefits of real work experience for our students.

'Our students really enjoyed their work experience at Norwich airport and appreciated the support and opportunity to experience all aspects of the airport operational roles and we are delighted that this resulted in some of them securing jobs for the summer.'

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