Heathrow Airport in London recorded its best-ever single month in July, as the summer getaway sent passenger numbers soaring to record highs.

Breaking all previous monthly records, Heathrow welcomed 7.53 million passengers last month, up 1.2 per cent on last July.

The meant the airport averaged 243,000 passengers - or the equivalent of the population of Plymouth - every day.

Trade through Heathrow also climbed at the fastest rate ever recorded at the UK’s largest port – up 15 per cent to 143,000 tonnes in July.

Heathrow chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, said: “Britain’s global gateway is hard at work this summer holiday season – July was the best month in Heathrow’s history.

“With more passengers than ever and trade growing at the fastest rate ever recorded, Heathrow is helping Britain show the world our country is open for business.”

American Airlines boosted cargo volumes by a huge 44 per cent in July, driving growth in trade with North America, while East Asia saw a 14 per cent uplift on the back of strong growth to China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Heathrow continues to work closely with airlines and has made good progress towards meeting the government’s challenge to deliver expansion with charges close to current levels, while delivering all local commitments and the global connections Britain needs.