Peter Andre partied with Wirral-based travel bosses after they scooped a top industry award for the third year running.

Don Bircham and Lindsey Barber of Hays Travel North West, which runs stores across the peninsula, mixed with the former Mysterious Girl singer in Calpe, Southern Spain, at the Jet2 VIP conference for independent travel agents.

The group once again won best large independent travel agency in the UK, with TV personality Andre presenting the award to them himself, as guests enjoyed a fancy-dress party and the awards gala dinner.

Don, who started his business in 2000 with one store in Mold and now runs almost 40 stores across the North West and North Wales, said: “Peter was fantastic and really great fun.

“He came and sat next to me and Lindsey on the plane on the way over where we chatted to him and then I sat on the same table with him during the awards dinner. He came across as the most genuine guy and we chatted about all sorts.

“He told me he came from a very stable and loving family which had helped him a lot with the demands of fame and he just said he was loving his life and enjoyed being involved with so many varied projects in his work life.

“What struck me is that he took a real interest in the people around him, asking them all sorts about them and their family, as well as talking about himself and his own life, which of course, most of us were very interested to find out!”

Wirral Globe: Peter Andre with Lindsey Barber of Hays Travel North West on route to the Jet2 VIP conference.Peter Andre with Lindsey Barber of Hays Travel North West on route to the Jet2 VIP conference.

Don and Lindsey were among more than 300 top performing agents and delegates taken out to the AR Diamante Beach & Spa in Calpe, Costa Blanca, by Jet2, which is the second largest tour operator in the UK.

Hays Travel North West is the main partner of Hays Travel, based in Sunderland, which is the UK’s largest independent travel agency. The firm’s owners, John and Irene Hays recently took over all 555 Thomas Cook stores following the collapse of the well-known travel brand.

Speaking about their stardom encounter with Andre, Lindsey added: “He was lovely, he was polite, so sociable, professional and a very caring guy who really seemed interested in everybody. It was a real pleasure to meet him.”