A pensioner had to pay a £150 taxi fare to get home from holiday after the minibus she booked for the journey failed to show up.

And now Doreen Sumption, 74, is facing a fight to get all her money back.

The widow, who lives in Walton, was left waiting three hours at Gatwick Airport for the minibus from Prestige Travel.

Its windscreen had broken and there was no other vehicle available to collect her. The firm tried to get a message to Mrs Sumption but she did not receive it.

She finally decided to get a taxi from outside the terminal and was shocked when she saw the final figure on the meter.

Mrs Sumption was on her first holiday since the death of her husband a year ago.

Her daughter, June Besant, of Edenside, Frinton, said her mother finally returned home at 10pm having landed at Gatwick at 3.30pm.

"She had been to Turkey and had a lovely time but this really spoilt her holiday," said Mrs Besant.

"My mother had paid £65 return to Prestige Travel and ended up paying £215 in all. We have been told that we could get half the £65 back but I think they should compensate her for the whole amount."

Vivien Cornwell of Prestige Travel said that a number of factors meant the firm had been unable to get to pick up Mrs Sumption.

She said: "The girl on duty in the office did contact Gatwick's information desk and left a message but apparently Mrs Cornwell did not get it."

Mrs Cornwell said her husband would be contacting Mrs Beasant but she thought they would only be able to offer her £32.50 - half the fare for the return journey.

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