Julie Durrans, who operates as a travel agent from her home in York, today announced that she is offering her customers a 100 per cent financial guarantee that they will either have their holiday or receive a full refund.

The guarantee comes in the wake of the recent collapse of Travelscene.

Those clients who only booked accommodation with the company had their transaction handled by Citybedz, a linked company which, unlike Travelscene, was not a member of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). Many lost money as a result.

Mrs Durrans, of Penyghent Avenue, is one of more than 400 travel agents throughout the country who work for Queen's Award-winning company Travel Counsellors Plc, based in Bolton, Lancs.

Travel Counsellors has launched a financial trust which means that all customer money is placed in a separate account administered by the Barclays Bank Trust Company. She said: "The trust means each and every one of my clients can be absolutely sure they will be fully reimbursed in the event that a holiday supplier goes bust - and includes low-cost airlines, scheduled airlines, package holidays, accommodation only and car hire.

"Contrary to popular belief, the bonding provided by ABTA and ATOL does not cover every type of holiday - especially if the customer is just booking a flight or hotel.

"Through the financial trust payments to me are completely safe."

Updated: 11:26 Monday, September 06, 2004