Hays Travel announces death of founder John Hays

North News issued a statement on behalf of Hays Travel today.

It read: "It is with the deepest sadness and regret that we have to announce that John Hays, the founder and managing director of Hays Travel, died today, while doing the job he loved.

"John, who with his wife and co-owner Irene Hays bought the Thomas Cook retail estate a year ago, was at work in the company’s Sunderland head office when he collapsed.

"John built Hays Travel into the UK’s largest independent travel agent providing jobs and careers for thousands of young people over 40 years."