Boss sorry for travel firm collapse

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Travelscope managing director Richard Ford said he took "full responsibility" for the firm's collapse which has left around 40,000 people's holiday plans in ruins.

Around a quarter of those had planned breaks over the festive period and are now trying to make alternative arrangements.

June Dolphin, from Stroud, Gloucestershire, said she and her husband were 'gutted' to have missed out on their Christmas break to Austria.

"I paid £743 in cash, and I've no idea if I'm going to get it back. I've had no information at all and I am gutted," she said. "We were going to have a sleigh ride on Christmas day and a steam train ride on Boxing Day. We don't like Christmas at home, it's too lonely."

Mr Ford said two years ago the company had £15 million in the bank but a £6 million investment in a new building, the delay in moving and two cancelled cruises had combined to harm the firm.

Travelscope is facing legal action following the death of primary school teacher Pat Horn, 78, on the cruise ship Van Gogh last year.

Mrs Horn caught the Norovirus and the cruise she was on had to be cancelled and passengers refunded. The action stopped banks lending money to the company.

More than 460 passengers who are currently on the Van Gogh, which is due to arrive at Falmouth on January 4, will finish their holiday uninterrupted.

Apologising to customers - especially those due to travel over the Christmas and New Year period - Mr Ford said: "We did try to sort the problem out so they could travel, but it proved not to be possible."