OPPOSITION councillors in Trafford are calling for a £1m windfall in dividend from Manchester Airport to be spent on saving frontline services.

Manchester Airport is owned by all the local authorities across Greater Manchester including Trafford.

The call has come after it emerged that the biggest holder of shares in the airport, Manchester City Council, has said it would cut back the scale of some of its planned cuts to the 2015/2016 budget, after it received dividends worth £11m.

Trafford Council for its part is tasked with saving more than £24m from its budget for 2015/2016 and is set to include the closure of children's centres and the slashing of one third of school crossing patrols across the borough.

Trafford Labour leader Cllr Andrew Western said: "This unexpected windfall comes at an opportune time, as the council sets its budget for next year.

"The Labour group will be pressuring the Conservatives to ensure that this £1 million is invested on the front line, to sustain or enhance services.

"With more than £17 million set to be cut from the children and families budget for next year I hope this money will be spent on protecting key facilities such as youth centres, libraries or school crossing patrols."

Tory leader Cllr Sean Anstee said: "The council welcomes the interim dividend which will be used to support the revenue budget for 2015/16.

"The airport dividend will help to offset some of the pressure we face and a decision will be taken in February on final budget proposals, which will incorporate any additional income received.

"As ever, Trafford Conservatives and the council are working hard to ensure that remaining resources are targeted at the most vulnerable members of our community who need our help the most."