TRAVEL agents Altham have beaten off competition from around the country in a national newspaper's awards.

The Burnley-based firm, which operates eight branches in East Lancashire, came second in the Best Travel Agent category in the 1996 Observer Travel Awards. The firm was third three years ago and second last year in the awards.

"It is very pleasing to be recognised in the awards again and is a tribute to the efforts of our staff," said Peter Mackie of Altham's who travelled to Malta to receive the firm's award.

"And we'll be doing everything we can to come first next year."

The winner in the category was Trailfinders who scored the same number of points as Altham's, but had a higher number of nominations.

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