Teletext Holidays chairman Steve Endacott has launched a petition to “stop companies profiteering from Covid-19 testing”.

The On Holiday Group founder set up the Change.org petition last week, describing the price being charged by firms for private tests as “the great holiday rip-off”.

The petition had received 704 signatures by 6.15pm on Monday evening, five days after it was posted.

Endacott said: “Holidaymakers will need to take Covid-19 tests 72 hours before departure to virtually all holiday destinations in order to be allowed to enter e.g Cyprus and Canaries.

“When the government can buy tests for £2-£5 how can companies like Boots justify £125 per test? Pure profiteering!!!”