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The travel company that promised a "chav-free holiday" has told Sky News that bookings "are flying".

Activities Abroad stirred up a storm in January when it sent an email to customers saying its holidays promised a "chav-free" zone.

But the firm says the proof is in the pudding: bookings are up 32% on last year.

"It is a fairly convincing case for the chav-free holiday company," the company said.

Earlier this year, the firm sent an email to 24,000 people on its database saying that customers on its holidays are likely to have names like Charles, Michael, Alice or Charlotte.

A holiday with them would keep you safe from people with supposedly "chav" names like Dazza, Chardonnay or K'Tee.

It went on to say that research had shown children with middle-class names such as Duncan and Catherine are eight times more likely to pass their GCSEs than children with names such as Wayne and Dwayne.

"Nuff said, innit?" ended the email.

Alistair Mclean, managing director of Activities Abroad, said it was time for the middle classes to stand up for themselves.

Some customers were outraged and vowed never to travel with Activities Abroad again.

One said: "Speaking as a Candice myself, I own my own business, have a postgraduate degree, an undergraduate degree, four A-levels, an advanced diploma in life skills, a diploma in performance coaching, GCSEs, speak French and Italian and drive a Merc.

"Happy slap that, you idiot."

Another said: "Don't let anybody tell you class is not a live issue in Britain."

But the company defended its campaign.

"Essentially, our clientele has embraced the tongue-in-cheek nature of the original campaign and, having examined the names of the people booked to travel with the company this summer, we can report that there is not a Kylie-Lianne or K'Tee in sight!" it said.

Based in Stannington, Northumberland, the firm organises holidays from volcano hiking to ice fishing.