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Sykes Holiday Cottages managed the "shock" of the first Covid-19 lockdown to still increase its turnover during the group's latest financial year.

The Chester-headquartered group has reported a turnover of £70.1m for the 12 months to September 30, 2020, up from the £68.9m it achieved during the prior year.

In accounts newly-filed with Companies House, Sykes Cottages revealed that without the pandemic, its turnover would have been more than £77m.

The documents also show the group's pre-tax profits went from £6.6m to £5.9m over the same period.

The group, which has c.17,500 properties across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ, Ireland and New Zealand, was backed by Vitruvian Partners in October 2019 in a deal which provided an exit for Livingbridge.

Its sister brands include Cornish Cottage Holidays, Helpful Holidays, Lakes Cottage Holidays, Manor Cottages, Hideaways, Dream Cottages, Coast & Country Cottages, and Menai Holidays.

A statement signed off by the board said: "As with most businesses in the world (and especially for travel), Covid-19 has had a fundamental effect on the business, financially, operationally and legally.

"The initial lockdown in March 2020 caused a shock to the nation and the business, significantly reducing sales and creating commercial and operational challenges in dealing with thousands of bookings requiring cancellation and potential refunds.