With Christmas and the New Year now firmly in the rear-view mirror we are entering that strange time of year where there's not really too much going on.

That is probably why January is one of the busiest times for travel bookings, as people look to escape the cold and start planning their summer holidays.

While many of us do this online now, Macclesfield's independent travel agency Henbury Travel say they have seen a significant increase in foot traffic, as more customers choose to book in-store at 42 Chestergate.

Managing director Richard Slater, who is entering his 38th year in the travel industry, attributes this to several key factors, with financial security being a major driver.

Henbury Travel's ABTA membership ensures that non-air holidays are financially protected, while ATOL protection for flight-inclusive holidays guarantees peace of mind in case of financial failure, such as when Thomas Cook went bankrupt.

Richard said: "At Henbury Travel, we take pride in offering this level of protection to our customers. It's about knowing you're covered, no matter what happens."

Richard, who is on the ABTA board of directors, added: "Instead of getting lost in the search results, just put the keyboard down and visit us.

"We're your very own human holiday search engine, providing you with personalised advice and unbeatable deals."