Harrogate pupils stranded in Spain due to ash cloud

Many UK flights were grounded because of the cloud of ash

Pupils from North Yorkshire due to fly home from a school trip to Spain have been stranded in the wake of the Iceland volcanic eruption.

Twenty-two year eight pupils from Rossett High School in Harrogate were due to fly from Barcelona to Manchester Airport in the afternoon.

The are facing a night in the airport as they have no accommodation.

Many flights have been cancelled as a cloud of ash from a volcanic explosion in Iceland heads south towards the UK.

Pupil Josh Day said he did not mind the delay. "It's bit of a cliffhanger at the end of the trip," he said.

The children, who are all aged 12 or 13, travelled to Spain to take part in rugby and football events.

Teacher Rob Beaver said they had struggled to get help from their tour operator: "We've spoken to them once and they claimed they were working really hard behind the scenes to try to sort us out with accommodation for tonight and then get us booked onto flights."