Shares soar after lastminute takeover move

Shares in lastminute.com soared today after the online travel firm and former darling of the dotcom boom confirmed it had received a takeover approach.

The interest was disclosed in a brief statement to the London Stock Exchange, but it did not include the identity of the potential bidder.

Lastminute shares surged 31% to 138p, adding around £100m (€146m) to its market value but still leaving the stock way off the peak seen during the tech boom of 560p, and the 313.75p achieved in 2003.