Preston Harriers Athletics club's junior squad were due back in the UK after a two-week training camp on Thursday.

But the 28 members aged 14 to 23 and their coaches are stranded in Faro, Portugal as all flights in and out of the UK were suspended yesterday.

Ash and dust continued to pour into the atmosphere from the Icelandic volcano eruption, causing chaos and frustration for air travellers.

And the team could be there until Thursday when spaces are available on a flight back to Blackpool with Jet2.com.

Steve Jackson, chairman of Preston Harriers, said: "Some of them should have been back in college on Friday but that hasn't happened. All they want to do is come home."

Among the team is Steve's daughter Nicola and Lucy Sumner, both 17.

The pair will now miss a national cross country race meeting in Loughborough this weekend.

Nicola, a student at Cardinal Newman College, said: "I've already missed a week of college and now I'm going to miss another.
"I've got exams in four weeks.

"People are running out of money and we're having to share food as much as we can."

And coach Alan Appleby added: "Unfortunately there's not much we can do. We've put a lot of work in and want to get back and put it to good use.

"Some of the girls have exams this week and they're stuck out here."

A group of younger members were due back in the UK today, but the club said the weather conditions meant it was looking "unlikely" they could board the flight.

Also trapped abroad is Sarah McGladrigan, owner of Cliff House Nursery in Ribbleton.

Her holiday company have said they cannot get her back from a sunshine break in Florida until a week on Saturday.

Sister Amy Graham, who also works at the Lambert Road nursery, said: "It's the nursery's 20th birthday party on Friday and Sarah's probably going to miss it.

"Instead of a direct flight to Manchester, she's coming back via Pittsburgh."

Meanwhile Debbie Eidsforth, 36, who had been visiting family in Preston, has been stranded at Heathrow Airport since Thursday waiting to fly to Adelaide, Australia, via Hong Kong.

She said: "I just stayed here, because my friend in Preston called around hotels for me but they were all full.

"I had paid $5,500 for my flights, but it doesn't matter what class you fly in, everyone's in the same situation.

"I just slept here on the seats.

"And there were quite a few other people dotted around. They should really have bought blankets and coffee around for us.

"At the end of the day, this is nobody's fault but it's very frustrating when there's no communication."

The National Air Traffic Service, which controls UK airspace, said restrictions will remain in place across England until 7am today at the earliest.

But travellers between Lancashire and the Isle of Man have had more success.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is continuing to ferry passengers from Liverpool and will review services to increase capacity if necessary.