Four grand Venetian chandeliers graced Manchester Airport's T1 for more than 40 years... now one is returning

They hung over the heads of holidaymakers for more than 40 years, adding a touch of glitz and glamour into getaways from Manchester Airport.

Four grand Venetian chandeliers graced the airport's Terminal 1 - each one weighing a staggering two tonnes. The magnificent ceiling features - once a centrepiece of the airport's departures hall - were taken down in 2003 under modernisation work at the terminal.

But today, as Manchester Airport celebrates its 85th birthday, bosses have announced one will return and be hung inside the revamped T2 hall.

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The airport has teamed-up with Manchester Metropolitan University for a project that will see one of the original pieces of glassware brought back to life. A series of designs will be created, with passengers being given the chance to vote on their favourite.

It will then hang in T2's redesigned departure hall, which is due to open in 2025.

Containing 1,300 pieces of crystal between them, the chandeliers have been in storage for years. One of them on display at The World of Glass Museum in St Helen's and it was announced in 2010 that another was destined for Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry.

The news will delight passengers of a certain age who remember the inspiring chandeliers from holidays of the past.

The 17ft chandeliers were designed by Royal architect Stefan Buzas and hand blown by glass maker Bruno Zanetti at the Venini factory in Murano, Italy, at a cost of £3,000 each. They were officially unveiled when the late Prince Philip opened the terminal in October 1962.

Their design was altered in 1987 with the coloured glass drops taken out and they were moved from the centre of the departure