Online bucket shop lastminute.com said it was making progress despite showing only a marginal increase in subscriber numbers and widening losses for the last three months.

The company, which offers customers last minute deals on flights, holiday packages and nights out, had a registered subscriber base of 2.86 million at the end of December, up just 0.4 per cent compared to three months earlier.

It also posted a net loss of £11.7 million for the first quarter year, compared to £9.5 million in the three months to September 30, yet chairman Allan Leighton said he was satisfied with the performance.

Mr Leighton, who joined the company last year as chairman from supermarket chain Asda, pointed to an increase in lastminute.com's gross margin which jumped from 10.1 per cent to 13.7 per cent during the three-month period as people bought more non-travel items over the Christmas period.

Lastminute.com's gross margin was also boosted by the consolidation of its French subsidiary Degriftour in the first quarter figures.

Mr Leighton said: "These are another set of satisfactory financial results with solid growth in our key metrics."

Lastminute.com confirmed that it would be linking up with the internet arm of high-street travel agency Thomas Cook.

The deal means that people shopping for holidays at lastminute.com at least six weeks in advance of their booking will be able to look at what thomascook. com has to offer as well.

In return, thomascook.com shoppers will be able to view the latest deals available at lastminute.com, including theatre and restaurant offers. The tie-up will run as a pilot until May.