A TRAVEL company which has offices in the Vale and the Cotswolds is celebrating its 40th birthday.

Carrick Travel, which has nine branches including Pershore, Evesham, Bourton and Chipping Norton, has been delivering birthday presents and cakes to celebrate the milestone with a meal out and overnight trip planned for later in the year.

It is a double celebration for the firm as they have just been announced as finalists in the Agent Achievement Awards 2014 and are one of five finalists who will be at an awards ceremony in London on Wednesday.

Carrick Travel first opened its doors in Kenilworth in 1974 when Mike and Sally Carrick decided to leave their positions with local travel firms and start their own Travel Agency.

Over the years, the pair has seen their business grow to nine offices throughout Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire and the Cotswolds.

They took the decision to retire fully from the business early in 2011 and their directors Tina Nason and Tracey Carter bought the company the following January.

Mrs Nason said: “The last few years have been a bit of a whirlwind really, the team here at Carrick Travel have been extremely supportive and together we are all working hard to achieve our goals. "Sales figures have been fantastic this year with us beating all records so we are certainly going in the right direction.

"We have great teams in all of our offices, very knowledgeable and experienced at arranging the perfect holiday. We know that there is lots of choice for anyone booking a holiday and would like to hope that we would be a consideration” .