A DEVOTED travel agent has found a silver lining after landing an assistant manager role in Kidderminster two weeks after the Thomas Cook collapse.

Caroline Hubble was devastated after she was made redundant by the travel giants in September after working their for 19 years.

Now, the passionate 46-year-old, who started her journey in the industry 29 years ago, is back on her feet after finding the perfect role at a new home.

The mum of four said: "It was a sad final day, we were all in shock and disbelief. I didn't think the whole company would go.

"People like myself had put a lot of trust into the company. I knew nothing about it until that morning on September 23.

"I thought, why couldn't it have gotten saved earlier on? I felt we were kept in the dark."

Caroline started her career 29 years ago, straight from school on a youth training scheme.

After 10 years in her first job in travel she took some time out to have children and then joined Going Places in Merry Hill in 2000, which then merged with Thomas Cook in 2007.

Eager to get back into the industry, Caroline, who lives in Brierley Hill, attended a jobs fair and found an opening at Co-operative Travel in Kidderminster.

"I'm not one to hang around", she said.

Caroline was called by staff at the Franche branch of the travel company for an interview. She was later hired and started work on October 7.

She added: "I love working here in Kidderminster. We are a little family.

"I'm learning all about the Co-operative company through this job.

"I feel very lucky and privileged."

Manager Stephanie Thompson, from Kidderminster, said: "I also worked at Thomas Cook for 11 years and I was made redundant about seven years ago.

"When you've given your whole life and career to a brand and for it just to go - It's really heartbreaking.

"But we're very lucky and fortunate to have been able to acquire Caroline. We are really pleased to have her on board."

Natalie Turner, head of branches for Co-operative Travel said: “We are thrilled to welcome Caroline to our Franche branch of Co-operative Travel.

"Thomas Cook was an important partner for Co-operative Travel - we sold many Thomas Cook holidays and flights to our customers and were very sad to see it go.

"However, if there is a silver lining to this sorry situation, which has seen many of our travel industry colleagues up and down the country lose their jobs, it’s that independent travel agencies like Co-operative Travel have been able to snap up holiday heroes like Caroline who brings with her a wealth of experience from Thomas Cook that will enhance our team and benefit the community."