Companies around Sussex are recruiting. That is the message from a number of key players in the county's economy as they prepare for the year ahead.

Despite an uncertain economic environment, the transport and leisure industries are beginning to prepare for a busy summer while the new media and technology community is also continuing to expand.

BAA, which owns seven of the UK's largest airports, is hoping to recruit about 200 safety and security staff. Although the operator always recruits seasonal staff at this time of year, the drive also reflects initiatives to improve airport security.

Mary Purbrook, Gatwick's recruitment manager, said: "We're looking for people to join us by the beginning of March so they are ready to start work at the beginning of May.

"These will be the people who make sure holidaymakers are checked through passport control and that luggage is safe.

"They are high-profile roles and we've increased the quality of training.

Security is our number one priority right now."

BAA is also involved in the forthcoming Gatwick Career and Jobs Fair.

About 2,000 people are expected to attend the fair, which is a joint venture between Life Newspapers, BAA, Sussex Enterprise and Job Centre Plus Organiser Sharon Crabbe said it was the first time such a co-ordinated effort had been made to show off what Gatwick employers had to offer.

She said: "The situation has always been there are more jobs on offer at Gatwick than people to fill the vacancies.

"This jobs fair will redress the balance and let everyone know it is time to get Gatwick staffed up for 2003."

The fair is open from 10am to 5pm on Thursday, January 30, and 10am to 4pm on Friday, January 31.

Contact Sharon Crabbe on 01293 409650 for further details.

Hoverspeed, which operates the only high-speed service from Newhaven to Dieppe, is also recruiting seasonal staff.

The company has between 50 and 70 positions available for cabin staff, customer services representatives, deck crew and security agents.

It said people with experience of working for airlines, in the hotel, catering or retail sectors or on deck, are preferred.

There are also opportunities for first officers, who help to navigate the Superseacat ferry.

The company carries about 2.5 million passengers and more than 500,000 vehicles across the Channel every year. But it is not just the transport and leisure sectors that are recruiting.

The results of a survey by Wired Sussex, the business development agency for new media companies in the region, showed that, far from declining, the new media industry in Sussex is set to grow.

Eighty-three per cent of companies surveyed plan to increase head count and two-thirds are expecting to expand and recruit one to five staff members.

Emily Aitken, executive director, said: "The Wired Sussex recruitment service is a useful barometer of the local new media environment.

"It's gratifying to see that user feedback is once more pointing to strong growth."

A key trend the survey pointed to was the changing face of the jobs and skills required locally.

Although no skill gaps exist, some skills are seen as problematic, including programming.