The Malta Tourism Authority has teamed up with UK satellite TV show Noel's HQ to rescue a British family whose honeymoon travel plans were ruined by the collapse of travel operator XL Leisure.

Newly-wed Mark Belcher and Kelly Morgan from Shoeburyness in Essex, together with daughter Zoe, 10-month-old son Samuel and mother-in-law Marion Kirby, were about to embark on their honeymoon in Skianthos, Greece, when news broke of XL's demise and immediate cessation of operations.

Suddenly, the devastated family was facing up to the realisation that their plans were in tatters... or so they thought.

Enter Noel Edmonds, legendary British TV presenter and media personality, whose current TV programme Noel's HQ is broadcast live on Sky One every Sunday night. This is a feel-good show that aims to tell heart-warming stories and reward members of the public for their acts of generosity.

The show's production team decided to locate a family whose holiday plans were wrecked due to XL Leisure's collapse and offer them a truly unexpected surprise. Mr Belcher and Ms Morgan's predicament was brought to the producer's attention and a decision was taken to help them.

This led to a phone call on Friday to the Malta Tourism Authority head office from the Noel's HQ production team, asking whether it was possible to put together a holiday package to Malta for a desperate family, starting the very next day.

The answer was 'yes' and, in a very short space of time, complimentary flights for the whole family were offered by Air Malta, along with a week's complimentary, all-inclusive accommodation at the Fortina Spa and Resort. For good measure, the MTA also laid on luxury airport transfers for the family, tours as required and car hire if needed.

On Friday evening, Mr Edmonds travelled with the production team to Shoeburyness and broke the good news to the delighted family in person. This sequence has been filmed for broadcast during tonight's edition of Noel's HQ.