Gatwick employers will get the chance to pick the top talent as thousands of job seekers pour in for a careers fair.

Major airlines, BAA, ground staff, retail, catering and hospitality firms will have stands at the one-day event organised by The Argus's sister publications Life Newspapers at Le Meridien hotel in the North Terminal on Thursday. It is expected to attract more than 4,000 people.

The world's busiest single- runway airport employs 25,000 and has 300 companies associated with it. But Gatwick will need to recruit more staff if it is to boost passenger numbers by a third to 40 million by 2010.

David Rowland, director of business services at Sussex Enterprise, said: "Sussex Enterprise is committed to the Gatwick Forward campaign, which intends to keep expansion plans for a second runway firmly on the Government's agenda.

"Jobs fairs are an effective way to meet potential employers without phone calls and endless form-filling."

The free event will take place from 10am to 8pm. Parking is available at the North Terminal but visitors are advised to use public transport if possible.