TRAVEL operators Airtours have announced 350 job losses across the country following a slump in air passengers in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks in America.

Ninety administrative jobs will go at the company's new headquarters at Holiday House, Rochdale, about nine per cent of the staff who work there following the move from Rossendale.

Offices at Helmshore and Accrington are thought to have escaped the redundancies, although not all staff affected have yet been informed.

In a bid to bring back passengers the company has launched a website auction for 10,000 holidays starting at just £1.

Company executive Richard Carrick said it had been necessary to shed 350 nationwide because of a drop in passengers following the events of September 11. The company has previously shed 2,000 jobs overseas.

He said despite the job losses there was still a great demand for holidays and he was confident a recovering was coming.