Devastated former Thomas Cook staff in Alexandria have shared a heartfelt message of thanks.

The company was unable to secure £200 million needed to keep the business afloat following a full day of crucial talks with the major shareholder and creditors.

William, Monica, Ann and Debbie, who all worked at the Main Street branch, told the Reporter: “Although we have gone through difficult times we did not expect this outcome, and believed in good faith that the company would sort out their problems.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our many loyal customers over the years. Many we now count as friends.

“Thank you all for your continued support.

“We will miss you all.

“We are sorry we were unable to help you further with your bookings when the business closed as it was taken out of our control.

“We don’t know what the future holds for us all and are sorry we never had the opportunity to thank you personally.

“We wish all of you good luck and happy holidays in the future.”

The team added: “We really do appreciate the kind words we have been hearing, and once again thank you and goodbye.”

The communities of West Dunbartonshire have been showing their support for the workers.

Local cleaning company, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo, are offering Thomas Cook employees who worked in Alexandria, Dumbarton or Helensburgh a free house clean.

A spokesperson for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo told the Reporter: “I just feel heart sorry for everyone who has lost their jobs. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what they’re all going through.

“And everyone enjoys a nice clean house so I just thought it would be a nice wee pick me up for all affected.”

Unite the union, Scotland’s largest trade union representing aviation workers, held a drop-in session for hundreds of Thomas Cook workers on Monday, September 30, at the union’s head office in Glasgow’s West Regent Street.

Unite represents thousands of staff across the UK at Thomas Cook’s, many of which are based in Scotland.

All workers were invited to attend, including non-union members.

If an employer becomes insolvent and workers lose their employment without notice then they may have an entitlement to a redundancy payment. Workers may also be entitled to claim for a failure by the employers to carry out collective redundancy consultation. This can have a value of up to 90 days’ pay.

Pat McIlvogue, Unite regional industrial officer, said: “Unite is doing everything we can to support the workers at Thomas Cook.

“A drop-in session was held where workers, whether they are union members or not, were welcome to attend.

“There was absolutely no consultation with the Thomas Cook workforce and Unite will be launching legal action on behalf of our members over this failure to consult on the redundancies that have resulted from the firm’s needless collapse.

“Any successful legal action could have a value of up to 90 days’ pay.

“However, unlike no-win-no-fee solicitors, Unite members who use our legal services keep 100 per cent of any award.”

Travellers have also hit out at Thomas Cook rivals, who they claim massively hiked prices for both flights and package holidays since the world’s oldest tour operator folded.