HELENSBURGH holidaymakers and former Thomas Cook employees have spoken of their shock and sadness this week after the collapse of the 178-year-old firm.

The company ceased trading on Monday morning after last-ditch rescue talks fell through, putting up to 9,000 UK jobs at risk and leaving 150,000 British tourists in need of repatriation.

The tour operator had been struggling with major debts and declining demand for package holidays in recent years, but the news of liquidation came as a bitter blow for those getting set to jet off on their travels in the coming weeks.

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Sharna Evitts and partner Dean Graham won the Advertiser's wedding competition in December and were due to fly out to Cuba in April next year for their honeymoon.

Sharna said: “We booked in January, paying it up monthly, and we were due to go to Cuba for a two-week, all-inclusive package honeymoon holiday to the Daiquiri Hotel; the dream destination for us.

“We are ATOL protected so hopefully we can get our money back in time to rebook something else, we are hopeful anyway.

“Of course we are very gutted, we were looking forward to this so much.

“Thomas Cook were the last company you would expect to go into liquidation so it’s very sad for all the staff and other holidaymakers too.”

Helensburgh mum Vanessa Black said her youngest daughter was in tears when she broke the news that their family holiday to Portugal had been cancelled.

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She said: “Myself and my two daughters Reese, 12 and Indy, 9 were due to fly out to Portugal on Saturday, September 28 for a week.

"We’ve been told that we aren’t able to apply for a refund until Monday, September 30 and are uncertain of how long it could take to receive it.

“My kids are absolutely devastated about the situation as they were really looking forward to this holiday

"My youngest, Indy, was crying. I explained to them that they will get away eventually but I'm not sure when. I’m not in a financial position to just book another holiday, so it’s a waiting game.

“I’m due nearly £1,500 back for this holiday and it’s taken me over a year to pay this with some months leaving myself low on funds to pay it, so it annoys me that I went through all that and have nothing to show at the end of it.”

Fiona Moorhouse is originally from Helensburgh but now lives in Chesterfield, and worked as a head rep at Thomas Cook for three years in various destinations in Europe before leaving in 2015.

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She said many of her former colleagues have remained in their posts to help holidaymakers return home safely, despite losing their jobs.

“I have friends that I call family currently in this horrible predicament," she told the Advertiser.

“They are showing commitment because they love the brand and what they do, which is give holiday makers memories they can have forever.

“I’m still friends with some of my guests even today.

“It’s more than just the holidays, it’s these people who are stuck in resorts.

“They are dedicated to the end.”

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Shona Smith and husband Scott, from Garelochhead, had packed their bags and were ready to leave for the airport when they heard the news on Monday.

Shona said: "We've heard that it will take up to two months to be refunded.

“We were going for seven days to Lanzarote for our 10-year wedding anniversary and honeymoon as we didn't have a honeymoon after our wedding.

“My husband has had the holiday planned since the start of the year and it was a complete surprise for me.

“We haven't had any notifications from Thomas Cook directly.

“We are very disappointed. I really do feel for all the staff who have lost their jobs.

“Hopefully once we are refunded we can book another holiday.”

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Kellymarie McColl Beggs was also supposed to fly out this week.

“The staff are the worst affected," she said, "and my heart goes out to them.

“What is beyond a joke, however, is that other travel companies are now increasing their prices by three or four times what they were for the same time. They are capitalising on the collapse of Thomas Cook.”