Bookings for short holidays during the autumn half term are down 11.5% compared with a year ago, says travel company association ANVR.

Bookings to France are down 40% and to Spain by 11%. But Turkey is still in favour, with just 1% fewer bookings.

‘People are keeping a closer eye on their cash and are feeling the effects of the recession on their spending power,’ a spokeswoman said. ‘But the bankruptcy of the Oad travel group has also had an impact on holiday plans.’