The false promise of a long hot summer has reportedly resulted in a last-minute surge of people seeking some sunshine through Spanish property bookings.

Spanish property in the Costa Dorada region is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the persistent rain and bad weather in the UK throughout July and August, with a 119 per cent rise in bookings made in July by fed up sun-seeking Brits, the Daily Mail reports.

Discussing the advantages of last minute online booking, marketing director at OrangeSmile.com Egor Bondarev said: ‘There are a number of them: cheaper rates, there is no need to get up from the sofa and go to a travel agency.

‘There is a much wider choice than at a travel agency and there is no need to make fast decisions, as is often the case in travel shops.’

Budget airlines are also experiencing an increase in summer bookings, according to the newspaper, with Flybe reporting an 11 per cent rise in flight bookings made in July to destinations such as Spanish property, compared to the same period in 2008.

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