Lastminute.com left red-faced as cheques bounce

The increasingly bizarre tale of Lastminute.com took another twist last week when a number of investors were accidentally sent cheques, which bounced, from the company.

The problem, according to Lastminute.com, was nothing more sinister than an administrative mistake.

The cheques were sent to investors as a reimbursement for shares they applied for but were not allowed after Lastminute.com restricted the number that could be bought.

A spokesperson for Lastminute.com promises this does not indicate the company has gone down the drain, despite a desperate few weeks on the stock exchange.

"This wasn't to do with Lastminute not having enough funds in its bank account," says a spokeswoman. She adds that just "three or four" cheques were accidentally cancelled.

"We credited those people immediately," she said.