HOLIDAYMAKERS in South Devon have had their bookings cancelled after Thomas Cook ceased trading overnight.

And all the company’s high street travel agents – including Newton Abbot – have closed with immediate effect.

Flights from Bristol Airport have been grounded and more than 150,000 Thomas Cook holidaymakers already abroad are returning home in the largest peacetime repatriation of British Citizens.

Thomas Cook flights have not operated from Exeter Airport for many years, although passengers could board other airlines with tickets bought through the company’s travel agencies.

A spokesman at Exeter Airport said: ‘We wouldn’t be able to ascertain if anyone had booked a flight through Thomas Cook and would be none the wiser. If anyone is travelling from Exeter Airport with a ticket bought through Thomas Cook they need to contact the helpline for information.’

Thomas Cook flights to and from Bristol Airport were stopped at around 2am this morning. The airport is telling passengers who were due to depart not to come to the terminal today. They have not yet had any information on the repatriation of stranded passengers from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Around 9,000 Thomas Cook jobs in the UK are now at risk. The company was unable to secure 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.

The business, which has been struggling for more than a year after a slowdown in sales, was hoping to secure last-minute funding to stave off collapse. The UK Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the collapse at 2.05am on Monday.

A statement from the Civil Aviation Authority said passengers yet to travel must not go to the airport.

It said: ‘Thomas Cook Group, including the UK tour operator and airline, has ceased trading with immediate effect. All Thomas Cook bookings, including flights and holidays, have now been cancelled. There are currently more than 150,000 Thomas Cook customers abroad, almost twice the number that were repatriated following the failure of Monarch.

‘We know that a company with such long-standing history ceasing trading will be very distressing for its customers and employees and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this news.

‘The Government has asked the UK Civil Aviation Authority to launch a repatriation programme over the next two weeks, from Monday 23 September to Sunday 6 October, to bring Thomas Cook customers back to the UK. Due to the unprecedented number of UK customers currently overseas who are affected by the situation, the Civil Aviation Authority has secured a fleet of aircraft from around the world to bring passengers back to the UK with return flights.

‘The Civil Aviation Authority has launched a special website, thomascook.caa.co.uk, where affected customers can find details and information on repatriation flights, as well as advice on accommodation for both ATOL and non-ATOL customers.

‘Due to the significant scale of the situation, some disruption is inevitable, but the Civil Aviation Authority will endeavour to get people home as close as possible to their planned dates. This will apply to both ATOL protected passengers and those who are not protected.’

Customers currently overseas should check thomascook.caa.co.uk for advice and only go to the airport once they have an alternative flight confirmed. A 24-hour helpline has been set up - 0300 303 2800 from the UK and Ireland and +44 1753 330 330 from overseas.