MERCHANDISE from three of the region's biggest sports clubs is now on sale at Leeds Bradford Airport.

Leeds Rhinos, Leeds United and Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) have all taken up space in a new retail unit in the departure lounge.

Also occupying part of the 350 sq ft unit, which was built over the winter and has created five jobs, is national clothing and accessories business FatFace.

Players from the Rhinos and representatives from YCCC and Leeds United visited the new shopping facility last week for its official opening.

Head of Commercial at Leeds Bradford Airport, Richard Aldridge, said: "It’s great to have officially opened the newest addition to our retail offering at the airport, yet again extending shopping choices for our customers.

"We are pleased to welcome another national retailer at LBA and feel sure that passengers will enjoy being able to browse FatFace merchandise ahead of their travels.

“We are proud to be working with all of the sports teams in the unit and I’d like to thank them all for coming along to the official opening. Passengers are now able to buy any last minute supporter merchandise while at LBA and we hope that this will be well received."

The opportunity to sell merchandise in the unit had been offered to a number of regional sports teams.

Leeds Rhinos Commercial Director, Rob Oates, said: "We’re really pleased to have been part of the official opening; the unit looks fantastic.

"The opportunity for Leeds Rhinos to team up with Leeds Bradford Airport in this way is perfect synergy.

"Leeds is lucky to have such a bustling airport on the doorstep and to be invited to showcase our retail range there, we believe, is a great chance for travellers to represent the Rhinos at their destination – just a little something extra to add to their suitcase just before they board the flight!"

Head of Retail, Licensing and Merchandise at Leeds United FC, Mike Pebbles, echoed those sentiments.

He said: "We have very much enjoyed being part of the opening of this great new unit, it’s in a great location within the airport and is the ideal place for fans to grab an LUFC item or two before jetting off.

"After a very successful 12 months of having merchandise on sale elsewhere in the airport, Leeds United FC are pleased to continue the partnership with LBA."

Commercial Director at Yorkshire County Cricket Club, Andy Dawson, added: "It is brilliant to see our merchandise available in this fantastic new unit; we are pleased to partner with LBA in this way as the airport continues to thrive and expand.

“The Yorkshire County Cricket Club is a brand known worldwide and we believe this is a great way to give visitors to Leeds and the wider Yorkshire area an opportunity to show their support for the club."

Kirsten Pottinger, Head of Partners and Customer Service at FatFace, Kirsten Pottinger, meanwhile said the company was looking forward to offering its wares to passengers at the 'fresh and inviting' airport facility.