There used to be a small independent travel agent in my hometown where a lovely young lady called Lisa would organise my holidays. My trips away always went like clockwork, weren't too expensive, and were exactly what I wanted. In 2005 the travel agent closed. Since then I have tried another local agent, but they gave me blank looks when I asked for something not from a brochure displayed on their shelves. Where can I get the sort of service I used to have? Peter Kendall, by email

Sunday Times travel expert, Richard Green, responds: There are still a great many excellent local travel agents up and down the country, but the competition from the internet, and from larger companies, has seen many smaller agents close, as your favourite has.

There is however, a company called Travel Councillors (0845 0587 884), which might just have a solution to your problem. It was started in 1994 and now has a turnover of over £175 million, with over 800 travel councillors, who are scattered throughout the country, working from home.

They have all the necessary bonding, and use a dynamic packaging system to help them compare prices quickly, leaving invoicing and posting of tickets etc, to the head office in Bolton.

The average councillor has about 18 years of experience in the travel industry, and as well as booking packages or tailor made trips, and dispensing advice, they will also visit you at your home to talk through the options, if you would like. Either way, you could establish a rapport with your local councillor, much as you did at your previous travel agent, and hopefully get your holidays back to how you want them.

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