The Thomas Cook store in Shepton Mallet is closed after the company ceased trading today (Monday September 23).

All Thomas Cook bookings, including flights and holidays, have been cancelled. Thomas Cook has confirmed that all the companies in its group have ceased trading, including Thomas Cook Airlines.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) website states: "As a result, we are sorry to inform you that all holidays and flights provided by these companies have been cancelled and are no longer operating.

"All Thomas Cook's retail shops have also closed.

"The Government and the Civil Aviation Authority are now working together to do everything we can to support passengers due to fly back to the UK with Thomas Cook between 23 September and 6 October 2019.

"Depending on your location, this will be either on CAA-operated flights or by using existing flights with other airlines.

"If you are due to depart from a UK airport with Thomas Cook Airlines, please do not travel to your UK airport as your flight will not be operating and you will not be able to travel.

"The Civil Aviation Authority's repatriation programme will not include any outbound flights from the UK.

"This repatriation is hugely complex and we are working around the clock to support passengers."

One would-be holiday-maker, who did not want to be named, that we met outside of the Shepton Mallet store this morning, said he had only been into the store on Saturday and had left documents with staff, that he had no idea how he was going to get back.

While he was disappointed, he said that she was more concerned for the staff who would probably be losing their jobs.

Passengers with ATOL protection who are yet to travel are entitled to a full refund on any future bookings.

Customers without ATOL protection should speak to their credit card provider or the

company they booked their holiday with. Speak to your travel insurance provider to see if you are able to claim back any costs.

Employees told they are being made redundant can seek advice from the Insolvency Service about claiming money they are owed and information about where to go for support.

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said: "This will be a hugely worrying time for employees of Thomas Cook, as well as their customers.

"Government will do all it can to support them. I will be setting up a cross-government taskforce to monitor local impacts, will write to insurance companies to ask them to process claims quickly, and stand ready to provide assistance and advice.

"I will also be writing to the Insolvency Service to ask them to prioritise and fast-track their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Thomas Cook going into liquidation."