The British parent of the Falcon/ JWT and First Choice travel agents said yesterday that bookings in its Irish operations had been increasing since the end of the Iraq war in May.

London-listed First Choice Holidays reported a pre-tax loss of €78 million (£55.1 million sterling) for the six months to April 30th last.

The result marked an improvement on the same period last year, when losses ran to €85 million.

Sales during the six-month period were up slightly in 2002, despite the invasion of Iraq. Turnover was £760.7 million, compared with £728.4 million a year ago.

Basic losses per share fell from 10.5p in 2002 to 9.6p this year. The company increased its dividend per ordinary share from 1.5p to 1.6p.

Commenting on current trading conditions, First Choice chief executive Mr Peter Long said that since the beginning of May, overall bookings in its UK and Ireland mainstream division were 15 per cent ahead of 2002.

He added that there had been a 26 per cent jump in bookings during the past three weeks, and that high-season bookings were 58 per cent up on last year.

However, total summer bookings were still 2 per cent down on last year, Mr Long said. He added that winter bookings were recovering.

A spokeswoman last night confirmed that business in its Irish operations, Falcon/JWT and First Choice travel shops, had increased in line with these figures.

She said that First Choice did not publish its Irish accounts separately.

Sales in the UK and Ireland division were £274.8 million sterling, down from last year's return of £295 million.

Losses slipped to £37.8 million from £34.1 million.