A BOLTON company is one of only eight to be included in the 2000 Sunday Times/Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 list for the third consecutive year.

Travel Counsellors, which is based in Churchgate, is one of two travel companies in the list of the country's fastest growing businesses.

The company, which is run by 54-year-old entrepreneur David Speakman, has boomed since it was founded in Atherton in 1994.

Sales of £500,000 at the start have now grown to a projected £44 million.

The business has about 50 staff at the headquarters and a nationwide team of 100 Personal Travel Counsellors with lap top computers who can visit clients in their homes or offices.

A further 50 travel consultants work from home connected online through the company's "virtual call centre."

"It is important that all our Travel Counsellors are fully qualified and give totally impartial advice," Mr Speakman said.

"As customers get more sophisticated in their travel needs it is important to provide them with a service which is personal and tailored to their needs."

He added: "Whilst we have seen a massive growth in this business, we are expanding our Internet strategy and already see extra growth through this travel medium."

The Churchgate office, which provides all the administrative support for the Travel Counsellor home workers, has recently added a Travel VIP suite and Beauty Spa for all its local customers.

Mr Speakman, who lives in Heaton, Bolton, is a director of Bolton Wanderers -- the club he has supported since he was eight.