FIVE former Thomas Cook staff have returned to the Newport High Street shop where they previously worked — and are now working for Hays Travel.

Georgina De Castro, Teresa Humphrey, Nikki Broadhead, Lucy Meddle and Kate Wratten decided to take up the offer to work for Hays Travel, which took over the Thomas Cook shops following the firm's collapse.

The women had all been made redundant, but are now back booking holidays for their happy customers.

Georgina said: "We are all former Thomas Cook staff who got made redundant immediately when the news was announced.

"It was a massive shock to hear it on the BBC news. None of us knew it was going to happen.

"When Hays Travel took over, they offered all of us our jobs back, and we re-opened last week in the same High Street shop.

"Lots of customers have come in and been really supportive and pleased to see us.

"At Hays, we are using the same skills and expertise as we always have, we've just got to get used to a new company, but within the same industry.

"It is a job we all love." Newport now has two Hays Travel branches. There is also a branch in Ryde, and one in Shanklin.

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