HEARTBROKEN holidaymakers from Greenock have been left thousands of pounds out of pocket and without their dream sunshine break following the collapse of travel agent Thomas Cook.

Care home worker Angela Gorry and her partner John Murray spent more than a year saving for a trip to the popular Turkish resort of Marmaris.

Instead they will spend their summer break in Blackpool after the tour operator went bust in the early hours of Monday morning.

The couple, who live in Larkfield, were just over a week away from their long-awaited sunshine holiday when it was announced that the 178-year-old company had ceased trading.

They, along with three friends who were also booked on the trip, are now the best part of £7,000 out of pocket.

The party were due to fly out next Wednesday for seven nights all-inclusive.

Angela, 39, said: "We booked this a year ago and we'd been looking forward to it for a long time. "It's not just the holiday, it's everything else that goes with it - spending money, paying for passports, insurance, luggage and seats - it all adds up.

"Between the five of us, it's about £7k."

Unable to afford an alternative sunshine break with rival tour operators hiking up prices, the party have had to swap the Mediterranean beach for the one in Blackpool.

Angela said: "Believe it or not, this was supposed to be my first adult holiday abroad and I don't think I'll be booking another one.

"It puts you off wanting to go travel overseas because if this can happen to Thomas Cook it can happen to anyone."

The couple say they have been annoyed at the lack of information from the company - and the fact they were reassured just three days earlier that all was okay.

Customers are entitled to compensation through the UK Government's Atol scheme.

John, 55, said: "Angela phoned Thomas Cook on Friday afternoon and was told everything was fine and going ahead.

"They were quite happy to take the money off us but it's not so straightforward getting it back.

"It's caused so much hassle. "We feel it's ridiculous the way it's been handled."

Meanwhile a couple who did make it to Turkey say they don't have enough money to eat while they wait on their flight home.

Shaun Curran, 32, from Greenock and his partner Frances Stanton were enjoying their sunshine holiday in Marmaris but have been forced to spend the last of their cash on transfers back to Dalaman Airport.

Shaun told the Tele: "We've spent all we had left on the transfers, which cost £35.

"We now won't have anything to eat until we arrive home.

"We have a replacement flight apparently, so at least that is something."

The couple were due to fly home tomorrow night.

Shaun added: "We have been told to be there three hours before the flight as there are long waiting times for new boarding passes to be issued.

"My partner Frances is worried sick through it all."

A team of young athletes from Inverclyde have also found themselves caught in in the Thomas Cook holiday chaos.

Inverclyde Amateurs Swimming Club had arranged for a group of 21 swimmers, coaches and parents to go on a special training camp to Lanzarote in three weeks' time.

It has been in the planning for 18 months - and has cost thousands of pounds.

Organisers spent yesterday trying to desperately to find alternative flights and arrangements.

Club president Jennifer Garrity said: "It is not looking good. We are desperately trying to find another way but we go in three weeks."

Inverclyde Amateurs has some of Scotland's best young swimmers in its ranks.

They have faced difficulties with training and competitions in recent months because of problems with the moveable floor at the Waterfront.

They hope travel agent Tui can step in and save the day.

Jennifer added: "The Tui staff at the Oak Mall have been absolutely amazing. Our parents have been very understanding as well.

"Hopefully we find a way."

Some 155,000 British tourists are currently abroad on Thomas Cook holidays and are now the subject of the largest peacetime repatriation being coordinated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the government.

In a statement, the CAA said: "We are now working together to do everything we can to support passengers due to fly back to the UK with Thomas Cook between September 23 and October 6. "Depending on your location, this will be either on CAA-operated flights or by using existing flights with other airlines."

The collapse of the tour operator puts 22,000 staff around the world at risk, including 9,000 British employees.

In a statement, the company said: "Thomas Cook UK Plc and associated UK entities have entered compulsory liquidation and are now under the control of the official receiver.

"The UK business has ceased trading with immediate effect and all future flights and holidays are cancelled.

"A dedicated support service is being provided by the Civil Aviation Authority to assist customers currently overseas and those in the UK with future bookings."

Customers are advised to visit thomascook.caa.co.uk for further information or call 0300 303 2800 or +44 1753 330 330 for those who are abroad.