THOUSANDS of plane travellers face serious disruption this week as the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud continues to cause chaos at UK airports.

Forecasters are warning the high density ash could spread further south in the next 24 hours.

This could lead to hundreds of flights being cancelled at major airports, including Gatwick.

A no-fly zone was brought in today at airports in Northern Ireland, Scotland, the North of England and the Midlands.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "The safety of passengers must be paramount.

"This new ash cloud contains concentrations of ash which safety regulators and aircraft manufacturers believe could be damaging to aircraft.

"The Civil Aviation Authority continues discussions with manufacturers, airlines and the research community over volcanic ash levels, but any further changes to guidelines would only be made if there were a consensus these were safe.

"Passengers should contact their airlines for further information about how their flight may be affected."

The UK no-fly zones are set out by the CAA using Met Office data.

Ash from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano has caused disruption to thousands of flights since April.

Travellers could also face further travel misery as last ditch talks are held on Monday to avert a planned strike on Tuesday by British Airways cabin crew over a long term row about jobs and pay.

The airline will also be making a legal bid at the High Court to get the strike called off.

Members of Unite are due to walk out from Tuesday until Saturday and then from May 24-28, May 30-June 3 and June 5-9.

The last strike ends just days before the start of the World Cup in South Africa.