AN Ilkley building firm has won a £2.9m contract to expand and refurbish the terminal at Leeds Bradford International Airport in Yeadon.

Quarmby Construction will design and build the new undercover facilities, which will focus on the creation of a massive catering area.

The project will feature a new Dales food village and Burger King totalling 9,365 sq ft, the opening of a 2,800 sq ft Yates's and a new relocated 'game zone'.

The news follows a £15m outlay on improvements to the terminal facilities over the past five years and the recent announcement of new or upgraded scheduled services to Cork, Bristol, Amsterdam and Edinburgh.

David Jones, managing director of Quarmby Construction, said: "The growing importance and status of Leeds Bradford International in holiday and business travel is an essential part of the economic vitality of the region.

"Naturally, we are delighted to be involved in expanding and improving facilities to ensure its continued success."

Councillor Denise Atkinson, chairman of the Airport Board, said: "We are delighted that this further development is to start later in the year.

"It will complement the extensive improvements that have been made to the terminal over the past five years."

A prominent lobby leading to the new leisure area will be created together with a feature staircase and escalator.

The amount of retail space on the airport's ground floor will also increase.

In addition, the lobby area on the first floor plus the toilet facilities on the ground and first floors will be redesigned and refurbished.

The airport company has appointed the Leeds office of EC Harris, real estate and infrastructure consultants, to project manage the scheme as well as provide cost management services and act as planning supervisors.

The architects are The Harris Partnership based in Wakefield.

Increasing the restaurant space is to be achieved with a new extension at first floor level over the existing baggage reclaim hall.

This will involve converting a recessed flat roof and stripping out offices.

A curved roof will be built over the eating area, allowing spacious pleasant surroundings for travellers and visitors.

Quarmby Construction will conduct the work on a design and build basis and are expected to be on site this month with the new facilities completed by summer 2003.

All work is being carefully scheduled to cause minimum disruption and the airport will remain fully operational throughout.