Car hire hell hits holidays.

TOURISTS are being left without hire cars on holiday due to a shortage of vehicles.

Firms in most popular European resorts failed to order a big enough fleet over fears the recession would lead to reduced demand.

But a surge in last-minute holiday bookings is adding to the pressure on car hire firms.

Some holidaymakers who booked through a broker are being told they don't have a car when they get to the arrivals hall.

Others are being forced to pay sky-high prices for cars they didn't order - often big vehicles as smaller ones are in short supply.

But Tim Pringle's family travelled to Valencia in July only to be told that their booking for a seven-seater car had been cancelled.

Their villa was 60 miles away and the rental company could only give him a much smaller car for him, his wife, three kids and five suitcases.

He said: "I would have taken a donkey and cart."

Demand also outstrips supply in some parts of Scotland and the Lake District.

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SURPRISED: Hire firms