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People who make their holiday bookings early could pick up deals more than £1,000 cheaper than those available at the last minute, according to Which? Holiday.

The consumer magazine conducted a year-long study of prices available for trips to Majorca in July 2008 and found that the best deals were available in August and September 2007.

Based on three different holiday packages, the research found that two were not available in May 2008 and by June all three had been taken off the market.

Which? Holiday also looked at three holidays to Cancun in Mexico for July 2008, finding that potential savings of £712 were available in February or March compared to bookings made at the last minute.

Lorna Cowan, editor of Which? Holiday, said: 'Our research shows that booking at the right time can save you a small fortune, but confusingly the "right time" isn't the same for every type of holiday.

'If you can be flexible with your destination and dates, it may be worth waiting to see what deals come up. But, for families wanting to get away next summer with specific destinations in mind, we recommend booking in the next month or so to avoid disappointment when it comes to availability and cost.'

A recent survey commissioned by Travel Weekly magazine found that around 5m Brits are set to book their 2009 summer holidays before December in order to pick up some early special offers.

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