ABTA national president and Bath Travel joint MD Stephen Bath has held talks with New York tourism officials as part of his bid to take up to 1,000 holidaymakers to the city next year.

Mr Bath met with representatives of NYC & Company while he led a party of 140 holidaymakers to the Big Apple from Bournemouth.

"They will do all they can to support our plans," he said. "They were extremely helpful and grateful for our support."

Around 560 people had originally booked on the three-day Christmas shopping trip but more than 400 cancelled after the September 11 attacks. Mr Bath decided to press ahead regardless - despite a loss of more than £20,000 on the operation.

"In 2000 we took 235 passengers on our first New York flight. Our problem next year is making the step up from 140 to around 1,000 in 12 months.

"I've already chartered a 327-seat Boeing 767 from Bourne-mouth and a 235-seat aircraft from Exeter and I'm ready to bring in extra capacity if the demand is there," he said.

Both flights will depart on November 24 next year.

NYC & Company acting vice-president Keith Yazmir said Britain was New York's biggest market.