I AM writing to you in respect of Hays travel company in Darlington, with whom I booked a holiday to depart on September 12 from Darlington to Manchester Airport and then to Egypt.

But before I was able to go I had to have a hip replacement.

I had paid Hays £287.63 for my booking. When I told Hays I had to go into hospital and asked for the return of my money, I was told it could not be repaid as I hadn’t taken out any insurance.

Since then they have offered me £80 return.

Being a pensioner of 81 years I can ill-afford to lose £200.

I wonder if anyone else had had this problem with Hays.

A Bean, Darlington.