About 10,000 people are rethinking their plans for the festive season after their holidays were cancelled when a travel company went into administration.

More than 200 people are expected to lose their jobs after Travelscope Holidays ceased trading yesterday.

The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) revealed that future holidays booked through the Gloucester-based company have now been cancelled.

The travel company, which deals primarily in cruises and coach trips, and operates some readers' holidays for the Oxford Mail and our sister papers, said on its website: "All trading activities are currently being suspended and no further holiday bookings are being taken."

Abta said claim forms would be sent out and full refunds offered.

A spokesman for Abta said: "We represent over 1,500 travel businesses of which 25-30 tend to go out of business each year.

"Fortunately as this company is covered by our policy, if you have booked your holidays with Travelscope, you will get your money back."

The administrators are Menzies Corporate Restructuring.

A spokesman for Menzies said: "All customers who have pre-booked holidays through Travelscope Holidays Ltd will be entitled to full refunds through the company's relationships with ATOL and ABTA.

"For customers already on a Travelscope Holiday, they will receive similar protection meaning that ATOL will cover all the things included in their package for the remainder of their holiday, ensuring they come home as originally planned."

  • Have you been affected by the collapse of Travelscope? The Oxford Mail news team would like to hear your story. Please call 01865 425500 or email news@nqo.com