BARRHEAD Travel has set ambitious expansion plans into motion after announcing a soar in profits.

Scotland's leading travel agency is now on the lookout for new investors to help with future growth aspirations as it celebrates "another successful year".

The firm saw profits rise by 66 per cent in 2015, while gross turnover also increased by £21 million to £267 million.

Barrhead Travel has turned to global business advisory firm BDO International to help facilitate its plans to expand south of the border.

The travel agency has attributed the dramatic surge in profits to an increased investment in new technology, long-haul and cruise sales rising and recent shop openings attracting loyal customer bases.

With a new agency up and running in Newcastle – Barrhead Travel's first English store – directors have since revealed the firm is searching for store-opening opportunities as far south as Bristol and Southampton.

Sharon Munro, Barrhead Travel chief executive, said: "I am delighted with our results especially in what was a difficult trading year.

"We have exciting plans for the rest of the year with the introduction of virtual reality headsets into our stores which will allow our customers to view hotel public areas and bedrooms along with destination experiences before they book.

"We are also about to launch a new online customer portal providing customers with a secure online space which allows the Barrhead Travel team to deliver a very personalised and unique service from start to finish."

The company is aiming to launch two more English stores this year and moves are afoot to introduce further outlets across the UK in 2017.

A spokeswoman for Barrhead Travel confirmed the increase in profits stemmed from repeat custom and said: "Many of our stores which have opened up in the past few years are now really maturing and building a loyal following.

"Barrhead Travel continues to perform well in this current year, with increased passenger numbers and is achieving a remarkably high level of repeat business at 47 per cent.

"Our specialist areas of the business and experienced travel consultants have also played a key role in increasing business."

The spokeswoman added: "The fact that there’s also more choice available to our customers in Scotland has also helped – with more direct services and airlines, such as Emirates and Etihad, increasing their services out of Scotland, it has really opened up the world to our customers.

"At the moment, we are seeing very high demand for countries such as Spain, Dubai, Florida and the US in general.

"Travel is an agile business, and we are always adjusting to suit the current climate. As we do every year, we witness a shift in destination popularity which is down to many reasons including trends, new destinations and of course climate.

"As a business, Barrhead Travel is committed to putting our customers first, and as each and every one of our holidays come fully financially protected, this provides customers with complete peace of mind."