Britain's Securities and Futures Authority (SFA) said yesterday it was launching an inquiry into the flotation of Thomson Travel Group after complaints from small investors who missed out on shares.

"SFA has launched a full review of the circumstances surrounding the flotation and the roles and responsibilities of those involved under SFA's rules and the Financial Services Act," the SFA said in a statement, adding it had received a "significant" number of complaints from members of the public. Thomson Travel was listed earlier this month in a £1.7 billion sterling flotation which attracted huge interest from Britain's army of small investors.