The founder of lastminute.com who steered it through the dotcom crash and its takeover by Travelocity stepped aside from the day-to-day running of the business today.

Britain’s largest internet travel company Lastminute.com said its fourth-quarter loss more than doubled as costs for closing offices and cutting jobs exceeded forecasts. The shares plunged 22%, a record drop.

Internet retailer Lastminute.com Plc wrung out a small amount of cash from operations in its second quarter to March 31 with trading for the period ahead of its expectations, the firm said.

Chairman of web travel giant Lastminute.com, Allan Leighton, has said the online travel retailer would continue its acquisition spree as it announced reduced losses in the first quarter.

Internet travel retailer Lastminute.com has appointed a new UK managing director following the departure of co-founder Martha Lane Fox, who stepped down in December after the company recorded its first ever annual profit.

LEEDS UNITED, the Premier League soccer club struggling on and off the pitch, said yesterday it was in talks with a number of interested parties that could lead to a takeover.

London shares ended the week on an upbeat note as traders refused to let the Turkey terror blasts unsettle them.

Internet firm Lastminute.com’s future now looks secure.

Lastminute.com has announced that it has signed an e-commerce deal with AOL Europe.

Lastminute.com has added edible underwear and blow-up dolls to its range of products.