HOLIDAYMAKERS from across East Lancashire were today urged to check with their tour operator before setting off for the hurricane-ravaged Caribbean.

Many trips have been cancelled after Hurricane Georges ripped through the Dominican Republic and Antigua causing millions of pounds of damage.

Now tourists and residents are fleeing the exclusive Florida Keys after being ordered to evacuate.

Many holidaymakers, who have been enjoying near-perfect sunshine in the Keys, have been forced to leave for mainland hotels in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

But they face the prospect of moving further afield as the National Hurricane Centre warned that the storm threatened to follow them.

Helmshore-based holiday giant Airtours has launched a special Hurricane Georges helpline to advise customers.

The firm has cancelled its whole programme in Antigua offering customers alternative holidays or a full refund.

Airtours' deputy managing director Richard Carrick said: "Our customers obviously want to know how the hurricane is going to affect their holiday, if at all.

"We want to supply them with all the information we have available."

Airtours is keeping in close contact with the Miami Hurricane Centre to check on the progress of the storms in Florida, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

Virgin Atlantic Airways has reluctantly postponed the launch of its service to Antigua from September 30 to October 21, after the hurricane swept across the island killing two people.

The death toll from the storm's rampage through the Caribbean this week has now topped 110, with more fatalities likely.

British Airways Holidays has moved 98 people on holiday in Antigua to Barbados to complete their holidays.

The Hurricane Georges helpline is 01706 909050 from 9am-10pm.

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