AIRLINE Ryanair is celebrating a monthly passenger record. The budget flights operator carried 2.14 million passengers last month - the highest number of passengers it has carried in one month in its 18-year history.

To celebrate, it is offering 2.14 million seats at prices ranging from £12.99.

Flights include Teesside and Newcastle to Dublin, and are available for travel between September 9 and November 30. For more information, log on to www.ryanair.com

Sales rise: High street department store group Debenhams has shown that uncertainty about its future had not distracted it from sales. Updating investors, the group said a stronger performance from womenswear lines helped lift sales in the second half of its financial year. Sales gathered pace in the six months to August 30, with a like-for-like improvement of 3.9 per cent compared with 3.7 per cent for the 12-month period as a whole. Total sales in the full year increased by 6.7 per cent and by 7.9 per cent in the second half. Debenhams is believed to be interested in moving in to the proposed £45m extension to the Queen Street shopping centre in Darlington.

IRAQ BANK: UK bank Standard Chartered is to play a key role in restoring banking services to Iraq. The emerging markets specialist is part of a consortium chosen by the Coalition Provisional Authority in the country to help set up and run the Trade Bank of Iraq. One of the new bank's main tasks will be enabling overseas firms hoping to invest in the country to find the necessary funding.

GREEK ENGINES: Engineering firm Rolls-Royce has won a £30m share of an order from Greece for engines for 20 NH90 military helicopters. The group already supplies the engine to the British armed forces' Merlin helicopters.