INDEPENDENT travel company Travel Counsellors has announced impressive sales growth over the last 12 months for both its corporate and leisure divisions.

Managing director Steve Byrne told its annual conference in Manchester how the Bolton-based firm's global sales for the year ending October 31 were £428 million from £385 million the previous year.

The UK business grew by more than 11 per cent during the year and notched a 53 per cent growth figure over the last five years.

The company trumpeted repeat business levels of 95 per cent for business travel customers and 70 per cent in the leisure sector.

"As a company we've continued to see extraordinary growth which is testament to the passion and dedication of our people," said Mr Byrne.

"We've created a safe place for talented travel professionals to grow their business, offering the support and guidance to be the very best travel professionals in the industry.

"This is why, in our recent company survey, 97 per cent of our Travel Counsellors agreed with the statement 'I love my job'.

"Yet there is significant scope for us to grow even further."

A star-studded line-up - including Simply Red fronted by Mick Hucknall - and an array of special guests helped the firm celebrate its success.

The event was underpinned by the theme "20 Together" which celebrated Travel Counsellors landmark 20th anniversary, highlighting the firm's journey, growth and success over the last last two decades.