THE Thomas Cook store in Barrow is set to reopen tomorrow as Hays Travel.

The Thomas Cook shop in Dalton Road is re-opening tomorrow as independent family-run chain, Hays Travel, after abruptly ceasing trading last month.

The 178-year-old holiday company collapsed last month after bosses failed to secure a rescue package from creditors – leading to the loss of thousands of jobs.

From the ashes, Hays Travel - which has pledged to buy all 555 of Thomas Cook agents - has now offered a lifeline to its portfolio of stores, which include shops in Kendal, Ulverston, Barrow, Workington, Whitehaven, Carlisle and Penrith, all of which are currently closed.

A spokeswoman from the Hays Travel Barrow office said: "We would like to welcome old and new customers to pop along and say hello.

"We will be able to book lots of different tour operators.

"This is an exciting venture with Susanne Williams as the manager.

"The staff will be Laura Deakin, Kim white, Leanne Cavan and Ellis Dover.

"We would like to thank every one for the continued support over the last few weeks."