Don't panic, say the travel agents (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Don't panic, say the travel agents

HOLIDAYMAKERS in the Swindon area heading to America should not panic after Hurricane Katrina hit southern states, say local travel agents.

Hundreds of thousands of New Orleans residents have fled their homes as the hurricane closed in.

But Tony Smart, the director of Cannon Travel, in Wootton Bassett, said: "The decision to cancel should not be taken lightly."

"If the tour operator decides the flight is going ahead then the customer could potentially lose all his money.

"I would urge people to contact their travel agent if they are worried."

Over the weekend highways were jammed as people obeyed orders to leave the Louisiana city for higher ground.

Those unable or unwilling to leave spent the night in shelters including the 77,000-seat Superdome stadium.