HOLIDAYMAKERS from Bolton were facing long delays at Manchester Airport today as security staff went on strike over job cuts.

The two-hour walkout was made in support of 21 workers who were sacked after refusing to accept new terms and conditions.

It came on one of the busiest days of the summer, with thousands of families jetting abroad at the start of the school holidays.

But union leaders said the strikers had received messages of support from a number of passengers before their action began at 11am.

Dave McCall, regional secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union, said: "Passengers know that these people do important jobs.

"We have had reports of security workers collapsing because of stress. They are demoralised and it is putting passengers' safety at risk." The action is the latest in a series of strikes called by members of the union.

Talks have broken down with managers and union leaders say there could be further strikes on July 30 and August 3 unless a solution is found.

The airport said a 36-hour strike in February had no effect on flights, but the union said many passengers had been delayed for up to five hours.

Early today airport officials were waiting to see if there would be delays for passengers travelling this afternoon.

It is thought talks will soon be held to try to resolve the dispute.

But Mr McCall said: "We keep saying that you cannot cut corners on safety and security, but the airport continually flies in the face of reason. The case for a properly resourced, well-trained and well motivated workforce in a modern airport has been made by us.

"We will continue to make that case even if it means taking strike action again."

An airport spokesman was unavailable for comment today.

Families heading out of Bolton by road for the first day of the school holidays were also expecting hold-ups today.

Travel experts said there could be traffic jams on the region's motorways as parents with children set off in search of the sun.

The biggest jams were expected on the M6 because repair work was being carried out on the Thelwall Viaduct.

But motorway police said the work could have a knock-on effect on the M62 and the M60 as well.