COUPLES were left freezing at an Oxford coach stop waiting to be picked up for their Christmas breaks after the sudden collapse of holiday firm Travelscope.

Pensioners Michael and Sheila Irving said they had arrived at the collection point in Beaumont Street at 1.30am on Saturday, unaware Travelscope had gone into administration just a few hours earlier.

Packed and ready for their £800 winter break in Austria - their first Christmas away - the couple from Ouseley Close, Marston, and another couple stood in the freezing temperatures for an hour before they discovered the truth.

It is estimated 10,000 people lost their holidays in the Gloucester-based company's collapse.

Mr Irving, 69, said: "The couple that were stood waiting with us put in a call to Travelscope and there was a message saying the company had gone into administration.

"We were totally shocked, but more angry, really. We were left waiting out in the cold for a coach that was never going to turn up.

"It's a real disappointment as we were all geared up for our first Christmas away.

"We were even supposed to be going on a sleigh ride on Christmas Day."

Mrs Irving, 65, added: "I'm annoyed as I had spent so long trying to organise this trip, and then this happens."

The couple spent £800 on the seven-day trip to Austria, where they were due to tour the country's sights, including the capital, Vienna.

With their holiday plans left in tatters, the couple had to make a mad dash to the shops to ensure their Christmas was not completely ruined.

More than 200 people are expected to lose their jobs.

The company also operated readers' holidays for papers published by Newsquest Oxfordshire.

The Association of British Travel Agents said that future holidays booked through the company had been cancelled.

Mr Irving said: "As we had planned this trip, we obviously hadn't got anything in for Christmas Day, so we've had to pay a swift visit to the shops to make sure we have food for the holidays."

His wife added: "We are angry about everything that has happened. It's not very nice. Now we have just got to make the most of what we have got."

The couple believe they are covered by their travel insurance if tour operator associations do not refund the cost.

Travelscope managing director Richard Ford said: "I feel sorry for the customers who thought they would be going away and who won't be."

Travelscope administrator Menzies Corporate Restructuring said customers would be entitled to full refunds through travel operator associations ATOL and ABTA.

CLAIMING YOUR MONEY BACK

ANYONE who has lost a holiday as a result of the collapse of Travelscope should be able to claim their money back.

All customers who have booked holidays through the company should be entitled to full refunds through the Association of British Travel Agents, ABTA, or the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing, ATOL.

For more information, call ABTA on 01243 621500.

Anyone already on a Travelscope holiday should receive similar protection, meaning that ATOL will cover all the things included in their package for the remainder of their holiday.

Some people from Oxfordshire would have booked their holidays after seeing advertisements in Newsquest Oxfordshire titles.

Tom Mitchell, Newsquest Oxfordshire's regional newspaper sales manager, said: "It's clearly regrettable when a travel firm collapses but all our holidays are handled through operators who are members of ATOL and ABTA, so the money is safeguarded.

"We have a number of reader travel providers, of which Travelscope is just one.

"It's regrettable it has gone into administration, but we only use companies that are protected financially in this way, so our readers do not lose out financially.

"While readers may not get the holidays they have booked, they will get their money back."