HOLIDAY park operator Parkdean Holidays has started the new year on a high with like-for-like advance bookings up more than ten per cent.

Parkdean, which has 14 parks in Scotland, South Wales and Cornwall, said it had continued to generate holiday hire revenues for the forthcoming season at a very satisfactory rate since it reported full-year results in January.

The group, based in Newcastle, said it was continuing to see growth in short breaks in the so-called shoulder season of the spring and September and October.

The company has benefited from changing holiday trends, with people increasingly going away for short breaks three or four times a year.

Chairman Graham Wilson said the company was anticipating another year of increased revenue in the short break sector.

The group plans to spend £9m on extra pitches, more caravans for hire, refurbished shops and leisure facilities.

On-site swimming pools and retail facilities contributed to the company's profits, which rose 162 per cent to £9m in the year to October 31.

Parkdean, which employs 890 staff, said its spending projects were within budget and on target for completion before the start of the holiday season in its parks, which open this month.

The group said it was continuing to look at appropriate acquisitions, although it did not give details.