MANY Wiltshire people are expected to be affected by the collapse of holiday giant Thomas Cook after its failure to secure a rescue deal.

The company failed to find the extra £200 million needed to keep the business afloat following a full day of crucial talks with the major shareholder and creditors on Sunday.

It is though that 150,000 Britons are stranded abroad awaiting repatriation.

Richard Moriarty, the chief executive of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said the Government had asked his organisation to launch “the UK’s largest ever peacetime repatriation”.

In a statement, the CAA said: “Thomas Cook Group, including the UK tour operator and airline, has ceased trading with immediate effect.

People who have holidays and flights booked from the UK are being told not to go to the airport as there are no Thomas Cook flights.

The company has offices in most Wiltshire market towns and thousands of employees are expected to be made redundant.

Do you know someone stranded abroad or with a holiday that has been cancelled? Email jmoore3@gazetteandherald.co.uk