Online retailer Lastminute.com has issued an upbeat sales forecast and promised to turn in its first ever pre-tax profit later this year.

The company said on Monday that figures to be published on 22 November would show that it had edged into the black before tax and one-off costs during the July to September period.

The company did not say how much profit it expects to make, but it predicted total sales of �110m ($154m) , 135% up on the same period last year.

The higher revenue forecast reflects the impact of recent acquisitions, as well as strong travel and holiday bookings over the summer.

"Both the UK and France have performed exceptionally well during this very busy period for the travel sector," said Lastminute chief executive Brent Hoberman in a statement.

Investors welcomed the profits pledge, marking Lastminute.com shares 10.7% higher to 89p in mid-afternoon trade.

Lastminute.com's stock market debut in March 2000 was one of the most heavily hyped of the internet boom, attracting feverish interest from investors.

But the company later came to be seen as a symbol of the tech sector meltdown as its share price plummeted from a peak of nearly 500p to a low of about 19p in October last year.

Lastminute's fortunes have since swung part of the way back again, helped by tight cost controls, and underpinned by healthy cash reserves built up during its stock market flotation.

In May this year, the company's UK and French businesses reached operational profitability three months earlier than expected.