BLACKPOOL AIRPORT and Ryanair made air travel history on Thursday May 22, as it launched its first regular flight service between the resort and Dublin

So the Citizen got down there just before take off to the 'party capital', Dublin, to find out what had spurred a lot of eager people awaiting the first flight from Blackpool.

The first set of travellers we came across had a romantic reason for their trip, local sweethearts, Lindsay Rainford, 21, and Andy Gott, 24.

Unbeknown to Lindsay, Andy had quietly arranged a surprise 22nd birthday present trip to Dublin for Lindsay. Lindsay said : "I was at work when Andy popped into see me and suggested we go for some lunch.

"I thought I was going to the Air Balloon pub for lunch but instead I ended up at the airport, I'm still in shock."

Andy , who arranged the whole thing said: "I planned it for a month, I thought it would be a really nice idea especially if I could keep it a secret and surprise Lindsay on the day."

He added: "I always wanted to go to Dublin but was just waiting for the right time and the right place. Being able to travel from Blackpool definitely made it easier to keep a secret."

"I had no idea, not a dot," said Lindsay minutes before she was due to board the flight.

Marie Potter and friend Justine Clarke caught our attention with a glint in their eyes that had to mean a good reason for why they were making the trip. Marie was heading to Dublin to make cyber love a reality with her friend Justine as bodyguard. She met a man over the net 18 months ago and had frequently talked in chat rooms and over the phone but as of yet had not met him in person.

To mark the arrival of flights to Dublin from Blackpool, Marie was taking the plunge and was on her way to meet her man.

Marie said: "We've got each others pictures and spoke over the phone but it will be the first time we've met, I can't wait."

Justine Clarke, Marie's friend added: "I'm going out there to vet him."

Well as they say a friend in need is a friend indeed...

"He's looking to move over and bring his business so you never know, we'll have to wait and see how this weekend goes," Marie said.

Mark Macgregor, 33, and Michael Buggy, 17, from Blackpool were a couple of friends that were travelling to Dublin on sheer good fortune.

Mark entered an 'identify the Irish band' competition live on a local radio station. He had to guess the name of the band while one of their hits was played backwards.

Out of thousands of other listeners Mark steamed in with the right answer, The Corrs, and won a free trip to Dublin all inclusive for one night with a friend.

Mark said: "I am very shocked and happy and will definitely enter more competitions from now on."

With a series of special offers already in place, Ryanair says it has taken more than 10,000 bookings for flights to and from the Irish capital, and is confident of hitting its 80,000 passengers a year target.

Garry Eastwood, managing director of Blackpool Airport, said: "This is another great day for Blackpool. This new service will continue Ryanair's fantastic boost to local tourism and jobs in the area."

Annette McGarry, of Ryanair, added: "Since we announced the route, bookings and interest have been phenomenal. Over 10,000 passengers have already booked and the North West looks set for an invasion by Ryanair passengers from Ireland."