WEST Country coach holiday specialist Bakers Dolphin has thrown a lifeline to holidaymakers affected by the collapse of Wiltshire-based Hatts Coaches, which has gone into administration.

Around 1,000 people are believed to have made bookings with Hatts and may have lost their money and their holiday.

Bakers Dolphin is offering 50 per cent off their holidays to anyone who can show they lost out in the Hatts collapse.

Sales and marketing director Amanda Harrington said: “We are members of the Bonded Coach Holidays and have protection in place so customers are never at risk. When this sort of thing happens it undermines the industry’s good reputation.

“People should always look for bond protection with an organisation like BCH or ABTA when they book holidays. Those who have booked with credit and debit cards may also find that they will not lose out if they go to their card providers.

“We have been in touch with the FRP Advisory, the administrators of Hatts Coaches, to offer whatever help we can.

Our sympathy is with the customers and to the staff, who must be devastated.”

Anyone affected by the Hatts Coaches collapse looking to book a half price replacement holiday with Bakers Dolphin should initially call 01934 415000