TRAVEL agents in East Lancashire are being hit with a booking boom as holidaymakers rush to claim their seats in the sun.

This year looks set to be a big one for the travel industry judging from the fantastic start to the New Year, with Florida and Spanish islands being the most popular destinations.

Travel agents believe it is the early booking discounts, bargains and free prizes that are responsible for the rush which has seen staff busier than ever.

Wendy McNulty, the manager of Going Places on King William Street in Blackburn said: "We have had hundreds of people in booking holidays.

"With New Year being the traditional sale time, this stretches to people buying bargain holidays."

Thomas Cook in Blackburn are looking for a new customer services manager to help deal with the rush.

Mrs Julie Nickerson from Thomas Cook, King William Street, Blackburn, said: "It has become so extremely busy in 1998 that we desperately need to fill this position to meet the demand." The company have been giving free personal stereos for every person who books a holiday overseas.

Staff at Althams on Ainsworth Street in Blackburn have been inundated with customers but are expecting the shop to get even busier next week.

Manager Mrs Beryl Towne said: "Next week will be our busiest time. After Christmas and New Year, a holiday is the next thing people look forward to. There are also some great deals on at the moment."

Althams in St James Street, Burnley, report bookings up by 25 per cent compared to the same time last year.

Chief clerk, Janet Harrison, said: "It has been really busy and the rush seems to have started earlier this year with mainland Spain and the islands still being the most popular.

"We have also had quite a number of people booking last minute winter holidays in the sun ."

Scott Harrison, assistant manager at Brunlea Travel, Burnley, said: "We are offering various discounts and special offers and there are still bargains to be had. Spain and Turkey still continue to be the most popular destinations.''

Lunn Poly in Blackburn was snowed under with holidaymakers snapping up bargains with 25 per cent discounts on some holidays and free insurance deals.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.