MANCHESTER Airport has launched a valet parking scheme.

Passengers are now able to pull up in a dedicated enclosure and hand over their car keys to a team of valet parkers before jetting off on holiday or business.

The valets then park the cars in a secure PARKMARK award winning car park and return the car to the holding area at the end of the passenger's trip.

The valet parking service will cost around £7 per day so parking for a week's holiday will cost £56 - less than the £66 average taxi fare to and from Manchester Airport.

Director of car parks, Andy Cliffe, explained: "We're really proud of this first valet parking service provided by Manchester Airport. We want to offer our customers choices that make the journey easy and this service is ideal for customers who want the ultimate convenience at great value for money.

"We are also very committed to reducing the number of car journeys to and from the airport. Obviously the best environmental solution is for people to come to the airport by public transport but not everyone is able to or wants to travel by bus, train or tram. The next best option is to just make one return journey to the airport and that means providing car parking here at the airport.

"There are already lots of car parking alternatives ranging from Shuttle Park to the Short Stay Multi Storey car parks and this new valet parking services adds another option."

The service can be booked through www.manchesterairport.co.uk website or by phone.

cgriffin@ messengernewspapers.co.uk