The independent travel agent which bought Thomas Cook is recruiting a further 1,500 workers after offering permanent contracts to all employees of the collapsed firm.

Hays Travel has launched a nationwide appeal to fill 200 new posts at the company’s head office in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, and an extra 500 jobs handling foreign currency at stores across the UK. They have branches in Barrow and Ulverston.

The company, which came to rescue last month and took over the holiday giant when it went into administration, is also recruiting an apprentice at each of the firm’s 737 branches.

Joint owners John and Irene Hays have so far employed and offered permanent contracts to 2,330 former Thomas Cook workers and continue to recruit people for their new stores, of which 450 have opened in six weeks.

John, managing director of Hays Travel, the UK’s largest independent travel agent, said: “We’re further increasing staffing to ensure we have the highest customer service levels across all of our stores and our head office functions.

“These are fantastic permanent career opportunities for people who want to take a step into an exciting industry where every day is different.

“You don’t necessarily need travel experience – just an enthusiasm for travel, a good head for numbers for the foreign exchange posts and some customer service experience of any kind would be helpful.”

The Hays Travel Academy will provide comprehensive training for those with no experience in the industry, who could have a new career for Christmas.

There are now 737 Hays Travel shops and 4,200 employees.