Directors at Crawley's First Choice Holidays plc shared bonuses of more than £700,000 last year, according to the group's annual report.

The bonus payments were more than double the previous year's and follow a rise in operating profits despite a difficult year for the travel industry.

Chief executive Peter Long, 50, received a £376,000 performance bonus.

Together with his £470,000 salary and benefits, but before pension contributions, his total pay package for the financial year to 31 October 2002 was £860,000, up from £623,000 the previous year.

Dermot Blasthand, 52, managing director of the UK & Ireland division, received a £210,000 bonus as part of his £524,000 package, up from last year's £386,000.

Group finance director Andrew Martin, 42, who joined the board in September 2001, received a £131,000 bonus and £250,000 salary for a £392,000 package.

During the year operating profits, before goodwill amortisation and exceptional items, rose to £75.7million, up from £74.4million the previous year.

In his chairman's statement, Ian Clubb said the board was pleased with the results in what he described as "one of the toughest and most challenging years for the travel industry in recent history."

He also predicted the group was well positioned for the future.

He said: "We operate in a growth market and our continuing focus on prudent capacity management, strict control of the cost base and operational and financial flexibility has made the business stronger and better able to react to changing market conditions."

During the year the average number of employees fell from 15,006 to 13,796.

The company's annual general meeting will be held on 11 March.