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 and the threat of war in the Gulf.

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 and troops patrolled Heathrow following a terror scare.

BAA plc, 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 around £25 million more a year since the World Trade Centre terror attack.

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

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

She said: "The additional security is part of measures brought into play by the Department of Transport over a period.

"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."

She stressed the measures were not a direct result of the grenade incident last week.

Mike Clasper, BAA's chief executive designate, said: "This is good news for airport security.

"We're recruiting hundreds of new people to strengthen security still further. It's good news for jobs.

"This is a significant addition to the 180,000 people already employed by the aviation industry in the UK.

"And it's good news for our staff, who have done a great job under pressure since September 11, 2001, and will be reinforced through this recruitment campaign."

The recruitment process requires short-listed applicants to undergo a series of rigorous assessments at selection centres.

Around one in five applicants meet the required standards. then must successfully complete a two-week training course, meeting Department for Transport standards, and undergo stringent background checks including a counter-terrorist check.

The new staff will include more than 380 at Heathrow, 200 at Gatwick, and 150 at Stansted.