BARRHEAD Travel has unveiled plans to take on 120 staff, in roles such as sales, web development and marketing, as it rolls out its expansion strategy this year.

The family-owned travel agent said it is looking to fill the roles in its branches in Glasgow, East Kilbride, Edinburgh and Newcastle, as well as at its specialist cruise call centre in Larbert.

A number of modern apprenticeship roles are being offered, the Glasgow-based firm added, along with opportunities in its homeworking and franchise divisions.

Eighty per cent of the new roles will be in Scotland.

Chief executive Sharon Munro said: “We want to find the best people out there to help us continue to deliver an unrivalled travel experience to our customers.

“Our people are at the heart of our business and we are passionate about developing each and every member of staff. I started with a company as a modern apprentice and am very proud to have progressed through the business to the role of chief executive.”

The recruitment drive comes after Barrhead highlighted a 20 per cent increase in bookings in the first six weeks of the year. The company declined to say whether holidays to certain destinations have been affected by the risk of terrorist attack.

But, noting the Far East, US and the Caribbean are its most popular destinations, with Spain still in “huge demand”, Ms Munro said: “We may see changes in the destinations people choose for their holidays, but they’ll always want to travel.”

Barrhead said is looking to recruit experienced travel and sales advisors for specialist destination roles, and for product executives, managers and team leaders.