UP to 50 jobs at travel agents across East Lancashire could be under threat after a holiday company announced it was shutting 100 stores.

Thomson tour holiday operator TUI Travel has announced plans to close 100 of its UK-based travel stores.

The company, which has five stores across Blackburn, Burnley and Accrington, has not said how many jobs are expected to be lost.

It is currently undergoing a two-year restructuring process after a merger of TUI's travel division and First Choice.

The new business is made up of 1,100 shops nationwide and the closures are part of a £50 million cost cutting exercise.

The company will keep the two travel agent brands, Thomson and First Choice, separate.

A spokesman for TUI said: "TUI Travel UK is continually evaluating the performance of its retail outlets.

"This is usual business practice for any retailer and continues throughout the integration.

"TUI Travel UK is not expecting large-scale shop closures.

"In total, it is estimated that up to 100 retail units will close by the second year of the integration.

"Where there may be a proposal to close a unit, TUI Travel UK will liaise closely with team members to find opportunities for re-deployment."

The spokesman said that job losses were not an inevitable part of the shop closures.

There are currently Thomson shops in Charter Walk, Burnley, The Mall, Blackburn and Blackburn Road, Accrington.

There are First Choice shops in King William Street, Blackburn, and Charter Walk, Burnley.

The merger between First Choice and German-owned TUI in March last year created Europe's biggest travel group with 48,000 staff and 27 million customers.

The cuts follow a 100-day review led by chief executive Peter Long, who previously ran the First Choice business.

TUI said at the time of the merger that it was committed to building up internet sales and saving £100 million a year through costs and streamlining its retail shop operation.

This figure was increased to £150 million a year, with £40 million of the increase relating to the UK.

The company said further cost savings had been identified in its airline network as well as in general administrative costs, although it did not give details about any impact on jobs.

Gerry Doherty, general secretary of the TSSA travel union, warned that the closures could cost up to 1,000 jobs and result in less competition on the high street.

He said: "We are seeking urgent talks with the company.

"But given the number of shops we could be looking at lot of job losses."