INVENTIVE ideas from Eastleigh students could be used as plans for a new state-of-the-art departure lounge take off at Southampton International Airport.

Year 9 scholars at Crestwood College for business and Enterprise were asked to put on their thinking caps and provide suggestions as airport bosses start work on redesigning the departure lounge.

As passenger numbers soar at one of the country's busiest airports there has been a pressing need for a makeover of its passenger facilities.

Designs are now at the drawing board stage and expected to be complete within the next 12 to 18 months.

The airport, which has been sponsoring the college in its newly created business and enterprise status, asked for input. The new departure lounge is part of a £5m investment being pumped into passenger facilities.

The airport's senior development manager Steve Thurston and communications manager Sue Batchelor spent the day at the college listening to ideas. Sue said: "They gave a great presentation with some exciting ideas. They included a water feature to relax passengers and a glass lift."