So many people are now flying in and out of Southampton, the city's booming international airport is to build a brand- new multi-storey car park.

By the end of next year, the airport is expected to be handling at least one million passengers annually and present car parking capacity is just not enough to cope with the increased demand.

Southampton International, which earlier this week added two more routes to its growing network of services, is one of the fastest-growing regional airports in Europe and is regularly voted the number one take-off point by passengers.

A total of 700 extra vehicle spaces will be created by the construction of two floors over part of the present short- term car park next door to the passenger terminal.

Building work is due to begin in May, and the multi-storey should be ready for use in October.

Colin Hobbs, managing director of Southampton International, said: "The airport is growing at a healthy rate and we have to look to the future and to the needs of our customers.