More than 300 people will lose their jobs after an airport ground handling firm announced it is closing its Gatwick operation.

Aviance blamed today's decision on "fundamental changes" in its business at the Sussex airport.

It is the latest blow to the Gatwick area's economy, which is reeling from fears over the future of almost 1,000 jobs which have emerged over the last few months.

In February, Barclays moved 250 jobs from Crawley to Milton Keynes. This followed TUI Travel's decision to tell 650 staff they must move to Luton or face redundancy, while more than 100 jobs are under threat at Glaxosmithkline's factory on the town's Manor Royal industrial estate.

Aviance employs 5,000 people at leading airports in the UK and Ireland across a variety of services including ground handling, security, cargo and passenger.

The Gatwick workers affected by the decision will receive help to find other jobs.