BOSSES at a Lancashire fast food chain are doing their bit to help Thomas Cook employees - who woke up this morning to the devastating news that they had lost their jobs

Thousands of staff members up and down the country have been affected by the company's collapse, but those living in Lancashire have been offered a direct opportunity by McDonald's in Preston to apply for a job. 

In a social media post, bosses at the branch reached out, saying: "Please get in touch if you have been affected by this.

"We are always on the lookout for good people to join our team. You can see our vacancies here."

The tour operator Thomas Cook ceased trading with immediate effect over night after failing in a final bid to secure a rescue package from creditors.

More than 150,000 British holidaymakers are currently abroad and will need to be repatriated as a result of the 178-year-old firm's collapse, the Civil Aviation Authority said.

The CAA said in a statement: "All Thomas Cook bookings, including flights and holidays, have now been cancelled. There are currently more than 150,000 Thomas Cook customers abroad, almost twice the number that were repatriated following the failure of Monarch.

"We know that a company with such long-standing history ceasing trading will be very distressing for its customers and employees and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this news."

Good deeds have also been taking place elsewhere in the country - with a caravan park offering free holidays to anyone who has had a trip cancelled by the collapse.

Turnberry Holiday Park aimed to turn the tragic news on its head by offering up to six families a four-night stay.