Airport workers are threatening to walk out over tough new security checks.

Staff at Gatwick face the sack if they do not fill in a Disclosure Application Form, revealing past criminal convictions, by the end of the month.

Up to a quarter of the airport's 25,000-strong workforce have been told they must complete the form to qualify for airside passes.

They include catering staff, baggage handlers, security staff and bus drivers.

GMB union representative Frank Minal said many may have already quit over the measures.

He said: "There have been a lot of redundancies recently, at least 100 at the airport, and I wouldn't be surprised if many of them are to do with the checks.

"People are either worried about minor past convictions or are not prepared to go through more checks. We believe the introduction of the new regulations is Draconian.

"There is an understanding that some checks have to be made but this is about the way they are administered."

A Gatwick spokesman said he could not reveal how many people were affected by the measures.

He said: "We are well on the way to having all checks completed by July, a target set last June by the Government."

Ruth Carlyle, BAA Gatwick Airport Security Manager, said: "The Department for Transport (DfT) is responsible for setting security measures at all UK airports, which includes imposing the standards for the issuing of airside passes.

"BAA Gatwick is legally bound to meet these requirements.

"If an employee is found to have a conviction that matches an offence recognised by the DfT, then BAA is required to advise the employee's company and this includes suspending the pass while the matter is investigated fully."

Wednesday March 10, 2004