Lloyds Banking Group has set aside up to a further £1.8 billion to provide for payment protection insurance (PPI) claims.

The extra provision comes after the bank saw a “significant spike” in PPI information requests in the final days before the claims deadline of August 29. Lloyds, which owns Bank of Scotland, received between 600,000 and 800,000 information requests per week in the final month, “well above the previous assumption”

It now estiates that it will need to make an "incremental charge for PPI claims" of between £1.2bn and £1.8bn in its third quarter results.

Lloyds has already set aside more than £20bn for claims, more than any other major UK bank.

Last week, Clydesdale Bank owner CYBG hiked its provisions for “legacy PPI costs” by up to £450 million after receiving an “unprecedented volume” of information requests in August.

The came shortly after Royal Bank of Scotland said it expected to provide up to a further £900m in respect of PPI claims in its third-quarter results.

Lloyds, which owns Bank of Scotland, has suspended the remainder of its share buyback programme as a result of the uncertainty around the final outcome from PPI.

Eddie Stobart Logistics is being lined up for a possible takeover, less than a month after shares were suspended and the chief executive was shown the door.

The haulage company confirmed that it has received an "expression of interest" from DBAY Advisors, which already has a 10% stake in the business.

It means the suitors now have until 5pm on October 7 to either table a formal bid, or walk away, under stock market rules.

Stobart, which gave no further details, said: "There can be no certainty either that an offer will be made, nor as to the terms of any offer, if made. A further announcement will be made when appropriate."

However, for any deal to be approved, it would need to be voted through by shareholders - including Neil Woodford's fund, which has a 23% stake in the trucking business.

Hotel chain Travelodge is cashing in on business travellers and budget-conscious holidaymakers looking for a bit more luxury, according to the company's latest results.

The business revealed that its "super rooms" and "budget chic" Travelodge Plus hotels have been popular, comparing them with airlines which offer premium economy seating.

Launched just two years ago, the super rooms are now in 50 Travelodge hotels, with 1,800 planned by the end of the year, and include coffee pod machines, ironing boards and irons, along with more food and drink choices.

Bosses said the popularity has helped sales jump 6% to £337.3 million in the six months to June 30. Underlying pretax profits were up £1.1 million to £44.7 million.

Occupancy levels rose from 75.5% to 77.9%, helped by the average cost of a room falling from £51.06 to £49.78 a night. Revenue per available room - a key measure for the sector - was up 0.6% to £38.78.