POLICE are mounting a guard outside a travel company in Widnes after around 1,000 fans had their flights to this weekend's Champions League final cancelled.

Worldchoice Sports on Albert Road said on Thursday that with "deep regret", three flights taking Liverpool fans to Kiev for Saturday's game had been cancelled.

Disappointed supporters had paid up to £2,000 to get to Ukraine.

Although one flight has been re-arranged many disgruntled Liverpool fans won't be able to travel to Kiev.

Police officers are standing outside the travel agent on Albert Road as fans turn up to find out what is happening.

The operator said that due to so many flights heading to Ukraine ahead of Liverpool's meeting with Real Madrid, Borispil Airport had been unable to allocate times for the three planes. Up to 20,000 Liverpool fans are expected to make the journey.

Worldchoice added that it had done everything it could to secure slots, but that to "reiterate, the problem IS with Kiev."

Owner of Worldchoice Sports Shay Soni said he was "devastated" to have to cancel flights but vowed to keep trying to help stranded supporters.

He blamed the airport authorities in Ukraine and confirmed all fans will be fully refunded.

"The past 24 hours have been an absolute nightmare,"he said. "It really has been a very difficult time."

He said they had gone through "almost every avenue" without success until the mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson stepped in and one flight was reinstated.

Mr Soni said the company would keep working to get the remaining flights reinstated but he is not very hopeful.

"I'm a Liverpool fan," he said. "I am really upset and sad. We have never had an issue like this before."

A spokesman for Liverpool Football Club said: "Liverpool Football Club is continuing to work with all of the relevant stakeholders in the UK and Ukraine in an attempt to resolve a situation which has left around 1,000 fans without flights to Kiev for the Champions League final," a statement read.

"Flights chartered by Worldchoice Sports had been set to take supporters to Ukraine, but a dispute between the Widnes-based travel company and the aviation authorities in Kiev over the size of the aircraft has led to the trips being cancelled.

"Along with officials from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Liverpool City Council, UEFA and the authorities in Kiev, Liverpool FC has been endeavouring to resolve the issue since it first came to light and will continue to do so until all avenues have been exhausted."

Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson said he is confident a solution has been found.

He said he is working closely with former professional boxer and now mayor of Kiev Vitali Klitshko to find a solution.