A father has described how his 10-year-old son was left devastated when a dream birthday flight was grounded without notice after a flying firm closed suddenly. 

Jamie Newlove, from Yarm, bought a flight from Eden Flight Training and arrived on the appointed day with his son Louie only to find the business at Teesside International Airport was closed with the lights off.

Following unsuccessful attempts to contact the owner Mr Newlove was left bitterly frustrated and Louie in floods of tears. 

Owner Mark Lee has apologied, saying he was "trying to make sure that people don't lose out".(Image: Family)

Mr Newlove said: "We were given no advance warning - an email or text would have done.  

"My son is obsessed with planes. When his tenth birthday came I thought it was the perfect opportunity - to organise a flight for him.

"So I made a big thing of it and created a certificate for him for his birthday in July, saying he was going to fly a plane as a birthday present.  

"He was absolutely buzzing about it. It took a month of messaging and ringing Eden Flight Training to get to speak to someone to book it.

Mr Newlove booked the flight for Thursday, October 24 at 5.30 and was told to arrive half an hour early.(Image: Web)

He said: "A few days before there was really bad weather and it was windy. I tried to get hold of them and kept ringing and ringing and ringing to find out if it was going ahead or not.

"Me my dad and son Louie went there regardless and found they were closed. I parked outside and every five minutes went to knock on the door and kept ringing them. I didn't want to let my son down - it was massive for him. 

"Louie was so upset. It got to six - it was dark. He was crying and I was fuming. I thought it's not worth it I don't want to put him through anymore. 

"I was so disappointed they had not emailed us or texted us. They left me and my son high and dry."

Mr Newlove said he had since tried to contact Eden Flight Training but got no reply. 

He said: "It's been so frustrating because I bigged it up for so long."

Mr Newlove said the flight had cost him £90, but "luckily I didn't have to pay for the parking too".

Eden Flight Training closed about two weeks ago with customers taking to social media since saying they are owed money and have been unable to contact the firm. 

 Speaking to The Northern Echo Mr Lee said: "I am trying to make sure that people don't lose out, so we do apologise for the situation. It wasn't what we intended. 

"We ran the company successfully for 12 years and have taught hundreds of pilots to fly since and did some great things with Middlesbrough College and Leeds University over the years. 

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"But in the last couple of years, everything has just increased dramatically, like parts for aircraft fuel and airport landing fees. Everything has kept going up so much, so unfortunately we have had to close doors. 

He added: "We have been issuing quite a lot of refunds in the last two weeks to people owed money and we continue to work with customers to make sure they get the money back or get the flights done they have paid for."