A Shropshire family told today how their summer holiday plans were in ruins following the collapse of tour operator Holidays 4 U.

The company, which specialises in package deals and flights to Turkey and the Aegean, went into administration yesterday, leaving around 50,000 customers disappointed.

Wendy Price, from Trench in Telford, said her family had paid out nearly £1,100 for a two-week self catering trip to an apartment complex near Marmaris, and had been due to fly out at the end of August.

“It’s a bolt out of the blue – we didn’t see this coming at all,” she said.

“We are fairly certain we will get the money back because it’s covered by insurance, but from what we’ve been told the claim could take between three and six months.

“And until we get the money back, we don’t just have that sort of cash to throw at another holiday. So we will miss out on our only summer break as a family this year. It’s pretty devastating.”

Mrs Price had been due to travel with her partner, 13-year-old daughter, and one of her friends.

Ian Oakley-Smith, joint administrator and director at Pricewaterhouse Coopers, said: “The company has suffered because of the difficulties faced by the travel industry during 2010 and 2011, as a result of the economic downturn.

“The director has determined that the business is no longer able to trade and placed the company into administration. The company will cease operating with immediate effect.”

About 13,000 Holidays 4 U travellers are in Turkey, and the Civil Aviation Authority said it was trying to ensure they could stay in their accommodation until they were due to return.

“If customers are asked to pay again for accommodation, they should send a claim to the CAA on their return that a refund can be considered,” said the CAA.

Most of the firm’s tour customers are covered by insurance firm Atol, whose spokesman David Clover said: “There is never a good time for a travel firm to fail; unfortunately the height of summer is the worst possible time. However people who booked Atol-protected holidays with Holidays 4U who are currently abroad will be able to complete their holiday or claim a refund.”

By Carl Jones