AIRTOURS founder David Crossland is returning to his East Lancashire roots to honour staff who have helped him build his travel empire.
Mr Crossland, who founded the company 21 years ago, is to visit the firm's new call centre in Accrington to pay tribute to 80 staff with the firm's long service awards.
Some of those who will receive awards have been with the firm since it began.
Mr Crossland, 52, was born and raised in Burnley and started his career as a tea boy in an East Lancashire travel agency in 1963, later buying the owners out for £8,000.
It floated on the Stock Market in 1987. Almost 1,000 people are now employed at its Helmshore and Accrington bases, together with more than 11,000 around the world.
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