Blackpool International Beach Volleyball 2007

THE British players looking forward to playing in front of home crowd in Blackpool

Britain¹s leading Beach Volleyball players are delighted at the prospect of playing in front of a home crowd when high quality international competition comes to Blackpool on the 14 September 2007 and 15 September 2007 for the first floodlit international beach volleyball tournament ever to be held in the UK.

"We're looking forward to playing in front of a home crowd. It will be great to show Blackpool, and the country, the athleticism, skill and speed required for Beach Volleyball" said Shauna Mullin, one of the youngest players on the British team.

The crowd will be able to watch all the action from a custom-built, 1000-seater arena on the iconic Blackpool promenade which is currently undergoing a £62 million reconstruction. "It's very exciting to have a beach volleyball event in Blackpool", commented Zara Dampney, who partners Mullin.

Lucy Boulton, one half of Britain¹s top pairing along with the experienced Denise Johns, agreed with her team-mates:- "We normally play our domestic competitions on the beaches in South of England, so it will make a great change to be competing up north".

Cllr Mrs Maxine Callow, Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Regeneration, Blackpool Council said:- "Blackpool is delighted to be welcoming some of Europe's top Volleyball players to the first competition of this kind to be held on the Promenade.

The development of beach sports is a key theme in Blackpool's events programme over the coming years, and we look forward to showcasing this exciting sport and encouraging its growth in popularity in the UK."

Leading players from the UK, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Greece and Spain will come to Blackpool for the Blackpool International Beach Volleyball 2007, hot off the FIVB World Tour and World Championships, where the first Olympic qualifying places for Beijing will have been achieved.

The British players respect the quality of the competition they will be facing:- "We played against them on the World Tour", says Dampney. "There are good teams competing", agreed Boulton, "but if we play our best then I think we can definitely win."

Absolute beginners from the North West will get the chance to try their hand, too, at this Olympic sport with organisers planning a youth and community tournament on Thursday 13 September 2007.

Sand for the event will come from Blackpool¹s world-famous beaches and will be re-used subsequently as in-fill for the new areas of seawall.

Peter Mearns, North West Development Agency (NWDA) Executive Director for Marketing, said:-  "The NWDA is investing £3.5 million to support a programme of signature events in Blackpool over the next three years, as part of our commitment to the resort¹s ongoing regeneration. Major events have an important role to play in Blackpool¹s economic renaissance, helping to attract more business and leisure visitors to the area and raising its profile as a place to visit and invest. The Beach Volleyball Championships will be a fantastic addition to Blackpool¹s programme of events this year, and will showcase the resort¹s regenerated promenade, also part funded by the NWDA."

Blackpool International Beach Volleyball 2007 is timed to coincide with the celebrated "Illuminations" and event spectators will also catch the spectacular heats of the World Fireworks Championships from their seats. Organisers are also planning a fire show on a special stage, on 15 Saturday 2007, during breaks in play, making this an attractive spectator package.

Entry for this innovative event will be free of charge but by ticket via VisitBlackpool from 1 September 2007 or from the box office at the arena from 12 September 2007 onwards. For further details of tickets please contact the Blackpool Visitor First Centre on 01253 478222 or go online.

Low Cost Airline Celebrates 10 Millionth Passenger

JET2.COM, the low cost airline, have celebrated a significant milestone in its history as it welcomed its 10 millionth passenger since commencing operations nearly five years ago.

The airline cracked open the bubbly with Miss Northern Ireland, herself a member of Jet2.com cabin crew and the 10 millionth passenger, Mrs Nicola Cairns, who was flying from the airline’s base at Belfast International Airport to Murcia in Spain with her two children.

Over a four year period, Jet2.com has carried the equivalent of the entire population of Hungary or the Czech Republic on its burgeoning routes across Europe. There are currently 39 sun, city and ski destinations on offer.

Since commencing operations, the airline bases have also increased from the initial launch airport of Leeds Bradford to include Manchester, Belfast International, Newcastle, Blackpool and Edinburgh.

Nicola Cairns was greeted by ground staff and Miss Northern Ireland, Melissa Patten, at the airline’s base at Belfast International Airport and then checked in to flight LS 337, having arrived at the airport unaware that she was the 10 millionth passenger to experience Jet2.com’s award-winning service.

Mrs Cairns and three lucky people of her choice have also won return flights to any of the airline's 39 sun, city and ski destinations.

Philip Meeson, boss of Jet2.com, said:- “I am absolutely thrilled to welcome our 10 millionth passenger onboard our service to Murcia from Belfast International today and this truly is a significant moment for us as an airline.

Since starting over four years ago, we have always strived to provide the best service at the lowest possible fares and reaching this landmark number so quickly is testament that our passengers agree.

We were awarded the title of Best European Short Haul Airline last year and as we continue our route expansion and look forward to welcoming the next 10 million passengers, I would like to underline our ongoing commitment to low fares and great service.”

New look Somerfield for West Derby

SOMERFIELD will unveil its new look West Derby store in Almonds Green on Wednesday 3 September 2007 at 9am.

The store has undergone a mini makeover in the past few weeks and now has a more convenient and modern layout.

As well as a wider choice of fresh meat, fish, ready meals and fresh produce, the in store bakery has been extended providing delicious fresh breads and pastries all day. You can also pick up a delicious roast chicken from the brand new rotisserie.

Store manager Peter Baumber said:- “The entire layout has been designed to make it easier for our customers to shop and we are confident that local shoppers will be delighted with the improvements.

Somerfield is committed to being the best local food store, offering everything that customers want without the hassle of the large supermarkets.”

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