Crisps made by Essex potato farmers are set to be served on board Eastern Airways planes operated on behalf of Flybe as part of a complimentary service.

Eastern Airways is a franchise partner of Flybe, and offers a full complimentary on board service on its flights, sourcing products from a number of local suppliers including Fairfields Farm, based at Wormingford, near Colchester, which makes its Ten Acre crisp brand - now destined for the flights - at a factory on the farm.

The firm's co-founder, Robert Strathern, said they were "very proud" they will be featured. "I'm also particularly pleased that we've been given the opportunity to branch out further into the transport sector to reach new customers," he said.

MORE - Essex crisp makers join forces with Virgin Atlantic to launch new crisp flavourEastern Airways' Amanda Clark said the airline was working closely with many businesses local to where it operates.

"We are very pleased to be able to work with Fairfields Farm which is initially providing tasty Ten Acre cheese and onion and ready salted crisps for our snack basket, for our cabin crew to offer to passengers during flights as part of the service."

Eastern Airways, which is based in the Yorkshire and Humber region, is an independent airline formed in 1997. It operates flights from airports including Aberdeen, Anglesey, Cardiff, Durham Tees Valley, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Norwich, Paris Orly, Rodez, Scatsta, Southampton, Sumburgh, Warton and Wick John O'Groats.