Coach companies offer trips to would-be Torquay holidaymakers
Coach companies have rallied round to support angry holidaymakers who missed out on a trip to Torquay when their transport failed to show up.
Dozens of people were left stranded waiting for coaches run by Bilston company TT Tours which never arrived.
The £99 holiday included travel, breakfasts and dinners, two excursions, a free bar and accommodation.
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Customers have been promised refunds over the cancelled trip to the south west amid an investigation by Trading Standards into what happened.
But kind-hearted coach companies have come forward offering free trips to those who were left disappointed.
Some have already been booked on day trips to Llandudno and Skegness, while others have been offered 'mystery tours'.
Michaela Harold, from Bilston, whose parents were among holidaymakers who missed out on the Torquay trip, has set up a Facebook support group for those affected and said she had been inundated with calls from companies willing to help.
She said: "We have been in touch with a lot of coach companies offering coaches for day trips and we have started booking days out for what they have lost.
"It's not about the money, it's about the principle. It's about building memories with your family because who knows how long we've got left? That's been taken away from them."
Ms Harold, aged 44, said the offers were a bright note following the disappointment on missing out on the holiday.
"I know it's not their holiday week in Torquay but it's a little something," she said.
Plimbley Travel, which has bases in Wolverhampton and Walsall, is one of the firms who has offered free trips.
Becky Gouldstone, from the company, said: "In light of recent events, we are offering a free day trip to all those affected by TT Tours.
"This is a Mystery Trip that will depart Bloxwich High Street at 9am on Sunday, March 1. There are 106 tickets available, so if any passengers would like to come with us, please get in touch.
"Anyone interested will have to provide proof of booking with TT Tours.
"We can't begin to appreciate how devastating it must have been to find out that a holiday had been cancelled, let alone being stranded on the day of departure. So we thought a free mystery day trip may help lift spirits and restore faith in your local day trip and holiday companies."
Homer's Travel in Wolverhampton is also offering free trips. The company said on its Facebook page it was "devastated to hear about the recent events and all the people who have been let down".
