DEATH OF THE LAST MINUTE HOLIDAY BARGAIN; Prices soar as Scots flee soggy summer.

Byline: By GAYLE RITCHIE

SCOTLAND'S miserable rainsodden summer has killed the last-minute holiday bargain - as families flee the country.

Demand by people looking for a last-ditch break has made prices HIGHER than they were in January.

In some cases holidays cost pounds 1000 more than if booked in winter.

Examples found by the Sunday Mail included:

Two weeks at three-star, self-catering Nido del Aguila, Gran Canaria, for a family of three flying from Glasgow tomorrow with Thomas Cook was pounds 1140 in January. Last week it had shot up to pounds 1799.

A week at Punta Jabillo Apartments in Lanzarote for a family of four, leaving Edinburgh with Thomas Cook on August 9, cost pounds 1237. But last week the price was up to pounds 1627.

Two adults booking two weeks halfboard at four-star Vistamar Hotel in Majorca, leaving Aberdeen on August 25 with Flyglobespan, would have paid pounds 1119. Last week this same holiday would have set them back pounds 1310.

An all-inclusive, two-week stay at three-star El Cortijo Blanco apartments on the Costa del Sol, leaving Glasgow on Friday with Thomas Cook, is up from pounds 1453 to pounds 2717.

A week's self-catering break at Lanzarote's Playa Pocillos Apartments for a family of four with Seguro is up from pounds 1085 to pounds 1256.

Bill Munro, chief of Glasgow-based Barrhead Travel, said: "Most popular destinations are being sold at 20 per cent above normal.

"There is a misconception that by booking late you can get a cheaper price. This is only partly true as many of the holidays and accommodation used in the lates market is of a lesser standard than that sold early.

"Choice is limited, the best flight times snapped up early and you could be flying at unsociable times.

"People don't realise it's imperative for travel agents to get lots of bookings before March - so people get the best discounts and deals early in the year.

"Unless they are confident that enough people will fly to fill the hotels, agents will cancel or consolidate flight programmes due to the enormous cost of operating an aircraft. And this is when prices start to push up."

Sean Tipton, of The Association of British Travel Agents, added: "Business was slow in June which was good news for people booking late.

"But in July, as demand has risen thanks to the dreadful weather, the prices are going up.

"Basically, airlines prefer bums on seats as soon as possible so 95 per cent of the time it's best to book early."

A spokesman for online travel agent Travelcare said: "There's the odd bargain floating about but these are becoming much harder to find."

British Airways say customers will always pay more for their flights if they book close to the departure date.

They recommend paying three months in advance to get a cheaper deal.

Robert Boyle, BA's commercial director, said: "August is set to be another bumper month.

"It seems those travelling from Britain just want to guarantee that they can be sure of some sun for their summer break."

'Popular destinations are being sold at 20 per cent above normal'

Barrhead Travel

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CAPTION(S):

Up pounds 664: Playa Saboners Apartments on Majorca for a family of four Was pounds 1680 Now pounds 2344; Up pounds 400: Extra cost for two adults at Cancun's three-star Bluebay resort Was pounds 1559 Now pounds 1959; Up pounds 659: Nido del Aguila resort on Gran Canaria for a family of three Was pounds 1140 Now pounds 1799; Up pounds 1264: El Cortijo Blanco on Spain's Costa del Sol for a family of three Was pounds 1453 Now pounds 2717