While most of the world's aircraft have been grounded by volcanic ash, Kent-based LyddAir has kept on flying and providing a welcome escape route for stranded passengers.

Disruption to regular air travel and misery for hundreds of thousands of passengers across the world has been good news for the scheduled carrier based at Lydd Airport.

Because the small airline uses turbo-prop aircraft and flies at lower altitudes than bigger jet aircraft, different rules apply and business has soared.

Managing director Robin Gordon said the company had been operating at full capacity over the past few days, using its fleet of turbo prop aircraft to carry passengers to and from France and Southern Ireland. "We have been able to put on extra capacity to cope with demand," he said.

Unlike jet engines, turbo prop engines are unaffected by any ash in the atmosphere and privately owned light aircraft have been able to operate normally from Lydd. Mr Gordon said LyddAir would continue to work flat out during the emergency to deal with demand.