AIRPORT-bound holidaymakers could soon be checking in their luggage and ordering duty free at their local rail station as part of plans unveiled by Manchester Airport bosses.

But train users who have complained about the standard of existing services have warned that the plan could go off the rails.

The facility, based on services in many London train terminals, means passengers could get rid of their luggage at the rail station and enjoy a stress-free journey to the airport.

International travellers flying out of Manchester Airport will be able to check in their luggage and order duty free tobacco and booze from Blackburn and Burnley railway stations within ten years.

The plans were mooted by transport chiefs at the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth on Monday. Manchester Airport marketing boss John Twigg said he wanted to see railway stations in the "depths of Lancashire" have the facilities within the next 10 years.

"The airport is a service not just to Manchester but the entire region," he said. "Check in facilities at stations in Lancashire would be a major advance."

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority deputy chairman Guy Harkin said he wanted Blackburn and Burnley to be included in the scheme but railway committee members warned it could come off the rails.

John Moorhouse, secretary with the Rail Passenger Committee which covers the North West and Lancashire, said: "The thinking behind it is that people catching a train to the airport will save time and be able to travel without their luggage. It's a good idea in principle but the service will have to be reliable for it to work." THE scheme received a lukewarm reception among regular rail-users in Blackburn.

"It would have to be very well organised before I used it," said Eileen Walsh, of the Redcap area of Blackburn. "It sounds like a good idea but they would have to sort things out like making sure the trains go on time and not losing the luggage."

Mudassar Rafique, from Granby Road, Blackburn, is a computer science student at Manchester's UMIST where he commutes every day.

"I catch the service which goes to Manchester Airport and you do see a lot of people with luggage on it so this could be a good idea," said 20-year-old Mudassar.

"But the trains are late nearly every day. I would try it once to see how it worked."

Blackburn with Darwen Council employees Marcia Vasco and Shirley Payton, both of whom live near the border of Blackburn and Bolton, however said it would be a disaster waiting to happen.

"I think there will be a lot of people losing their luggage, I certainly wouldn't trust them with mine," said Marcia.

"It's a good idea in principle," added Shirley. "But logistically it would be very difficult. Ian Wolstencroft, a regular traveller from Manchester Road, Burnley, catches flights from Manchester Airport and welcomed the proposals.

"Checking in at Manchester Airport can cause hold-ups so this could help," said Ian. "As long as there is cover for things like lost luggage or late trains."

As there is no direct link from Burnley to Manchester Airport, travellers in the Burnley area would have to change at Blackburn for Manchester.

Holidaymakers and business travellers from the Burnley area normally ride to the airport by taxi or car.