AN EAST Lancashire travel firm has seen a rise in pre-tax profits thanks to a surge in last minute bookings.

Wyndham Vacation Rentals UK, based at Spring Mill in Stoney Bank Road, Earby, saw revenue drop from £75.5m in 2012, to £73.6m in 2013.

Pre-tax profits did, however, climb from £20.5m in 2012 to £20.9m last year.

Wyndham, which trades in the Pendle village as Cottages4you, also made a number of acquisition throughout the year, including Cumbrian Cottages and Dartmouth Holiday Homes.

Geoff Cowley, the firm’s managing director, said he was ‘confident’ about its future prospects.

He said: “"We are pleased with the overall performance. 2013 was a strange year with a freezing start to the booking period, followed by glorious weather for most of the summer.

“This meant that consumers delayed booking a UK holiday, so last minute bookings once again played a key role in our overall performance – particularly in the lodge and park segment.”