Image copyright PA Image caption Virgin Atlantic's announcement was welcomed by Belfast International Airport

Virgin Atlantic has announced flights between Belfast and Florida over a four-week period next summer.

The flights will operate between Belfast International Airport and Orlando from 25 June to 23 July 2015.

A spokesman for Belfast International Airport said it was a "vote of confidence" in both the airport and the travel market in Northern Ireland.

Uel Hoey said it was a "welcome boost in our efforts to attract additional airline activity and sustained growth".

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The airport says it has been in discussions with Virgin Atlantic for almost three years

Mr Hoey said he hoped the route would go on to "emulate the success" of the airline's route from Glasgow to Orlando, that now operated "throughout the entire summer holiday season".

"This is one of the most exciting announcements we have had at Belfast International Airport in recent years," he said.

Virgin Atlantic chief executive Craig Kreeger said: "It's incredibly important to us to offer customers from all across the UK access to our long-haul network during peak travel periods."