An airport is recruiting extra security staff to try and cut the time travellers spend queuing for their flights.

More than 270 security staff are wanted at BAA Gatwick aiport.

Stringent security was introduced at Gatwick in August 2006 following a terror alert. It led to cancelled flights and long delays for passengers.

BAA was criticised for allowing gridlock to set in when the increased security measures were introduced.

Hand luggage was temporarily banned and some restrictions are still in place. Passengers can take no more than 100ml of liquids, carried in transparent bags, on to flights.

Travellers have continued to face lengthy queues to get through security.

British Airways met just 22 per cent of their time targets in September. Their target is 50 per cent.

A spokesman for BAA Gatwick said: "We are taking on the staff in order to reduce the waiting time and keep Gatwick safe and secure."

It will be the airport's largest recruitment programme and they are looking for full-time, part-time and seasonal officers.

They are particularly keen to recruit more women to the job.

On Sunday (march 25), passengers at Gatwick were delayed for hours after a dip in power shut down check-in computers and luggage conveyors.

Escalators and lifts were put out of action and computer systems failed for more than 10 minutes.

By Monday (March 26) afternoon, the airport reported all systems were working.

BAA Gatwick customer service director David Stretch said: "We have a busy year ahead and we need to make sure we have the right staffing levels in place to ensure our passengers' journeys through Gatwick are safe, secure, quick and as efficient as possible."

Since Autumn last year the company has recruited or retained 65 security staff.

As part of the drive to speed passengers through security, the area used for checks in north and south terminals will also be increased.

BAA is facing further battles on several fronts.

This week BAA will outline further plans to cope with security issues and congestion ahead of the Easter holidays and its expected referral to the Competition Commission.

The company is in battle with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) about how much it can charge airlines to use its airports.

BAA have argued lower fees will put off airport investors.

In December, The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) said it said it suspected BAA's ownership of airports, the system of economic regulation of airports and capacity constraints, prevented competition.

BAA refutes the findings and the OFT is expected to refer the case to the Competition Commission.

For more information visit baa.com and click on airport security rules.

For more information on security jobs at Gatwick Airport, call 0141 585 6000 or visit the website at baa.com/ careers.