The manager of Southampton airport is taking off for pastures new.

Dave Lees is to leave Southampton in the summer to take up a new position as CEO of Bristol Airport.

Mr Lees has been the manager at Southampton for seven years and has seen the business grow in that time.

Last month the airport revealed that 2017 had been a record year with a the number of passengers passing through Southampton breaking the two million barrier for the first time.

A spokesman for AGS , the company which owns Southampton Airport, said: "The company would also like to take this opportunity to thank Dave for his valued contribution and confirm that he will be assisting in a smooth transition to new leadership over the summer."

His successor has not yet been named.

Bristol Airport, located at Lulsgate Bottom in North Somerset, seven miles from the city, is the UK's ninth busiest airport with around eight million passengers a year.