A NEW service to air travellers heading into or out of the region has led to the creation of a dozen new jobs.

Chauffeur driven luxury cars are set to become a regular sight at Newcastle Airport after a North-East firm became the first in the UK to land a concession within an airport concourse.

Parkers Chauffeur Services of Gateshead beat strong competition from local and national companies to take the contract offering travellers a greater range of road travel options.

Commercial manger for Newcastle Airport, Geoff Holland said: "The chauffeur service is an excellent addition to the various transport options already available at the airport.

"With the majority of Parkers' business coming from corporate clients, this new facility comes at an opportune time following the recent opening of four new executive lounges as part of our terminal development."

At present Parkers boasts more than 60 per cent of its work as corporate, with 250 regional, national and international clients using its fleet of 22 executive cars which include Mercedes and Jaguars.

Some cars take clients as far afield as Paris, Nice and Barcelona as well as all over the UK.

MD at Parkers, Steve Taylor said: "We are very pleased to secure the airport concession as it is something that fits in with our business development strategy.

"Newcastle Airport deals with three million passengers a year and we already make about 40 visits a day to the airport for existing clients.

"Now with a reception desk on the concourse, we can give them an improved service and offer travellers another choice in the way they continue their journey."

Parkers is continuing to expand its service with its recently opened concierge club guaranteeing tickets for concerts, football games and many more leisure activities.

The airport contract will mean that the firm can add a further 10 drivers to its present 35. The firm boasts a high number of more mature applicants which the firm believes "provide the standard of service the company aims to offer together with a local knowledge of the area".