THOUSANDS of stranded holiday makers have started to be flown back home in the UK's largest peacetime repatriation following the collapse of travel operator Thomas Cook.

An estimated 150,000 tourists are being brought home by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in a flight programme costing £100m, as Thomas Cook ceased trading in the early hours of Monday morning.

Holidaymakers already abroad will be flown home as close as possible to their original return time and date, and all future Thomas Cook bookings have been cancelled, affecting around one million people.

But last night, some North-East passengers stranded at various locations across the world said they still had no idea how they would return home, whilst others had been forced to cancel dream weddings and family holidays.

Catherine Plevey, from Darlington, is on holiday in Tenerife with her 17-year-old daughter. She said they feel "devastated" and their holiday has been "ruined".

"I paid for attraction tickets to Siam water park for the full holiday, but we got there and we were told the tickets are not valid anymore.

"I’m left with a devastated 17 year old daughter – the staff in the hotel we are currently staying at lovely been really helpful but have not had any information from anyone from Thomas cook regarding replacement flights dates or times or transfer.

"We feel stuck and don’t know anything."

Another Darlington family were due to depart to Tenerife tomorrow, and say they will now face months waiting to get their money back.

Angela, who organised he trip, said: "We're gutted, the grandchildren have been counting down to this day for weeks and it will break our hearts.

"We've been told it will be months before we can get the money back."

Other families, stranded in locations including Jamaica, Eygpt and Florida, have reported receiving little information about how and when they will be able to return home.

Jeff, who did not want to provide his surname, said his family, including a three-year-old son, are awaiting information in Morocco.

"It's all very well having all the information on the TV and Facebook here, but there are people probably in all corners of the globe who can't get access to any.

"It's hard to get information there – people don't know what is going on.

"There's also no guarantee they will return to Manchester, they could be left anywhere in the country."

Richard Moriarty, the chief executive of the CAA, said the Government had asked his organisation to launch "the UK's largest ever peacetime repatriation" which will involve flights from 53 airports in 18 countries.

Those who have not yet started their package holiday will be given a refund, while those on flight-only bookings are advised to seek reimbursement from their credit or debit card provider.

Thomas Cook was unable to secure the extra £200m needed to keep the business afloat following a full day of crucial talks with its major shareholder and creditors on Sunday.

Thomas Cook chief executive Peter Fankhauser said his company had "worked exhaustively" to salvage a rescue package.

He said: "I know that this outcome will be devastating to many people and will cause a lot of anxiety, stress and disruption.

"I would like to apologise to our millions of customers, and thousands of employees, suppliers and partners who have supported us."

One of the world's oldest and largest travel companies, the firm had been trading for 178 years - having been established in 1841.

Thomas Cook customers are advised to visit thomascook.caa.co.uk.