BELEAGUERED Lancashire holidays group MyTravel today announced a major change at the top with the appointment of a new chairman to steer the company out of its difficulties.

Troubleshooter Michael Beckett will take over from Eric Sanderson, who will retire at the group's annual general meeting on March 22.

Mr Sanderson, who replaced the company's founder, Burnley travel agent David Crossland, last year when it was hit by multi-million-pound losses, said: "I assumed the chairmanship at a time of considerable difficulty for the company.

"The new management team has implemented numerous measures to bring the business under much better control and to improve

its performance. It is now appropriate for a new chairman to take the company through the company's next stage."

MyTravel chief executive Peter McHugh said: "I am grateful to Eric for the support he has given me since I became chief executive. The Board appreciates his long service as a non-executive director, and particularly everything he has done for the company in an exceptionally difficult year as chairman.

Michael Beckett has a successful track record in a number of companies which have faced difficulties. He is chairman of Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited , Clarkson PLC, London Clubs International plc, Oxus Mining PLC and W.B.B. Minerals Ltd.