BRANCHES of Thomas Cook in Stourbridge, Halesowen and Merry Hill look set to close following the collapse of the travel giant.

Thomas Cook ceased trading in the early hours of Monday morning (September 23) after failing to secure a last-ditch rescue deal.

All future Thomas Cook bookings have been cancelled, affecting around one million people.

The UK's largest peacetime repatriation has been now been launched to bring British travellers home.

The first repatriation flight departed New York for Manchester with more than 300 passengers on board at 9.40am (BST). It is estimated to land at 5pm.

The majority of the £100 million cost of the programme will be met from funds held by the Atol scheme, with the Government also making a contribution. 

Thomas Cook chief executive Peter Fankhauser said his company had "worked exhaustively" to salvage a rescue package.

He said: "I know that this outcome will be devastating to many people and will cause a lot of anxiety, stress and disruption.

"I would like to apologise to our millions of customers, and thousands of employees, suppliers and partners who have supported us for many years."

One of the world's oldest and largest travel companies, the firm had been trading for 178 years - having been established in 1841 by a cabinet maker who organised a day trip for temperance movement supporters.

As of this year the group employed 21,000 people in 16 countries, operated 105 aircraft and 200 own-brand hotels and resorts.

Thomas Cook customers are advised to visit the CAA's dedicated website, thomascook.caa.co.uk, for more information about what they should do next.