East Lancashire holidaymakers will be left disappointed as travel agents TUI today announced the cancellation of all flights and holidays.

It affects those departing between 17 March and 16 April 2020 due to Coronavirus fears.

Travellers already abroad will in many cases be able to come home on their original flight, while those in Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritius and Spain will be contacted by the company with details of their new airport transfers and flight times in order to return home early.

The move comes amid advice against all but essential travel by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

In a statement a spokesman for TUI said: “All customers overseas are being looked after by our resort and customer service teams, with customers in many of our destinations able to return home on their original scheduled return flight.”

They added: “The health and safety of our customers and crew remains of primary importance and we look forward to taking people on holiday again.”

Cancelled holiday plans include the Crystal Ski holiday and TUI’s Rivers and Marella Cruises.

However, the company says customers who had planned to travel on or before 30th June this year can amend their booking to a free alternative holiday, if they wish to do so up to seven days before their original departure date.