THE threat of terrorist attacks is deterring people in the North-East from travelling abroad, according to travel agents in the region.

A number of travel companies contacted by The Northern Echo yesterday admitted there had been a significant downturn in business in the past few weeks.

Many refused to be quoted for fear of putting even more people off flying abroad.

One major firm said: "Business is bad enough as it is without adding to it."

An independent travel agent, who asked not to be named, said he believed both the possibility of war and fear of terrorism was the cause.

"The threat of war is having an effect and it has been a noticeable one in the past few weeks," he said.

"People haven't actually been cancelling holidays, they just aren't booking them. Business is incredibly slow.

"I can't tell what's going to happen. I hope things do change because it is a real worry, especially for independent companies."

A spokeswoman for Lunn Poly said February was usually a popular time for people to book holidays, but fewer than normal were doing so this year.

"We can say quite honestly that the war is deterring some people from booking," she said. "But people aren't tending to cancel holidays.

"There is no evidence to suggest that people don't want to go on their holidays.

"We expect it will pick up again once the uncertainty of war is behind us."