Anyone running an English hotel or guest house might have to rely on last-minute bookings to boost numbers this summer, it was revealed.

Only 25 per cent of holiday businesses are reporting higher advance bookings this summer than last summer, figures from the VisitEngland organisation showed.

But 40 per cent of establishments are reporting more last-minute bookings than the same time last year.

And this has prompted around 80 per cent of holiday accommodation providers to say they feel confident about this year's summer season.

VisitEngland also reported that one in three holiday businesses reported more visitors in April and May this year than in the same period last year.

This was an improvement on the first three months of the year when the severe weather contributed to only one in five businesses showing an increase.

There were notable differences by accommodation type for April and May this year, with 38 per cent of camping and caravanning businesses and 37 per cent of hotels reporting more guests, compared to just 27 per cent of bed and breakfast/guest houses and self-catering businesses.