THE Trading Standards Institute is urging concerned holidaymakers due to jet off to areas affected by the Asian tsunami to seek advice before deciding whether to travel.

It says the Foreign Office should be the first port of call for anyone due to travel soon to the worst-affected regions.

It is continuing to advise holidaymakers to avoid some destinations, and people bound for those resorts should be able to claim a full refund.

But its advice is constantly being updated and more and more areas are being given the all-clear for travellers.

Bruce Treloar, TSI's lead officer on travel, said: "People about to travel to the affected region want to know if their holiday has been cancelled, if they are able to book an alternative, or if they are entitled to a refund.

"Some operators are also warning package holiday customers who do not wish to travel to affected areas that they will be subject to cancellation charges if their hotel or resort is deemed operational."

The TSI is offering the following advice:

n Read your tour operator's booking conditions. Check the status of, and the effect on, your intended resort. Ask how the operator will help if your destination resort is affected.

n If you are reluctant to travel but your resort or hotel is operational, contact your agent at the earliest opportunity.

n Most holiday contracts include a clause relating to "a supervening event, the fault of neither party". Holidaymakers who are reluctant to travel but where the resort or hotel is operational could be entitled to at least a split of the costs.