More than 200 extra security guards are to be hired at Gatwick as part of a £25 million security boost.

The recruitment drive by BAA includes another 550 staff at seven airports across the country and comes in response to the heightened fear of terrorism since September 11, 2001.

Last week, thousands of passengers were evacuated from Gatwick's North Terminal when a passenger was allegedly caught carrying a live hand grenade in his baggage while tanks patrolled Heathrow following a terror scare.

BAA, the international airports group, said the announcement of extra security was part of the company's strategy to continually improve security standards.

There are already more than 600 security staff at Gatwick, a third of BAA's overall 1,900 staff at the airport.

More than £165 million a year is spent by BAA on security, which includes about £25 million more a year since the World Trade Centre terrorist attack.

The jobs boost will include a combination of full-time, part-time posts and seasonal staff, bringing the total number recruited since September 11, 2001, to about 1,500.

A spokeswoman said new staff would help reinforce BAA's high standards of security throughout the busy Easter and summer travel periods.

She said: "I can't go into details on security matters, although some will be obvious to passengers, such as additional checks on hand luggage and additional search procedures through security control.

"Security at an international airport like Gatwick is always a top priority."

Mike Clasper, BAA's chief executive designate, said: "This is good news for our staff who have done a great job under pressure."