YORK couples have been hit by the collapse of holiday company Goldtrail, the latest in a line of problems affecting the travel industry.

Nigel Reeson, of Strensall, is due to marry Sandra Snowden on August 4, on the Greek island of Zante.

Nigel was thrown into panic when he heard Goldtrail had collapsed, because he and eight friends and family had been due to fly out with the firm next Sunday. Luckily, he managed to rebook flights with a different airline at the same times.

“We have been quite fortunate. I panicked like mad on Sunday,” he said.

Eight of the group have paid a further £324 each for the new flights, but Nigel said he hoped to get some of the money back.

“We have had the wedding booked since last year.

“We have 50 people coming from York, Suffolk, Birmingham, Nottingham and Bournemouth and the wedding is booked with photographers and flowers and everything.”

Nigel is now anxiously awaiting the confirmation of the flights this week and hopes the Greek economy doesn’t also go downhill.

“But I think we’re going to be fine,” he said.

Paul Smith, owner of Quartz Travel in York, said he had never known such a challenging year in the travel industry.

Mr Smith said: “We have gone through hell and high water this year with volcanoes, BA strikes, Thailand riots, snow and the collapse of Cypriot Turkish Airlines earlier this month which affected another 16 of our customers.”

His Heworth-based company had 47 people booked with Goldtrail and has rearranged their flights.

Mr Smith said: “With us they get full refunds so that’s fine, and we have rebooked wherever possible so they’re pretty covered. It’s just the hassle that comes with it.”

Private hire taxi driver Stephen Iveson, of Ouseburn Avenue, York, and his bride Lesley, who are on their honeymoon in Turkey, had already paid £510 through Goldtrail.

They were made to fork out another £325 after Turkish hotel bosses feared they would not be paid by Goldtrail for the couple’s accommodation.