Plans have been approved to expand Luton airport, significantly boosting its passenger capacity.

Some 18 million passengers will be able to use the airport once the expansion is complete. Last year, the airport, which is the UK's fifth largest, handled 9.7 million passengers.

While Luton Council gave the backing to the plans in December, communities secretary Eric Pickles asked to review the decision

However, he has now given his consent to the plans, which could mean 45,000 extra flights and the creation of more than 5,000 new jobs.

There will be a vast expansion of the airport terminal, which is to be remodelled and modernised. A parallel taxiway will increase the capacity of the runway, while a new multi-storey car park is also slated for construction.

Commenting on the expansion, airport managing director Glyn Jones said: "The opportunities it brings for the local economy, in terms of jobs and investment, are significant and Luton can now press ahead with making its local airport bigger and better."