'Stranded' family threaten to sue

The Day family were told they could not fly because of foggy weather

A family are threatening to sue Ryanair after their flight from Italy was cancelled and they were told they would have to wait five days for another one.

The 21 members of the Day family, from Ashford in Kent, said they had to hire a coach costing 5,000 euros (£3,300) to get them back to the UK.

Ryanair said fog in the Ancona area forced the cancellation of all flights to and from the airport on 26 October.

It apologised, but insisted the family was offered a full refund or transfer.

All we want is the money it cost to get us back home Bob Day

In a statement, Ryanair said the cancellation had been beyond its control and the safety of passengers and crew had been its priority.

"All passengers on this cancelled flight were offered a full refund or transfer to the next available flight from Ancona to London Stansted or from alternative airports served by Ryanair in Italy," it said.

However, the Day family have said they will take the company to court if they do not receive compensation.

They had been in Italy to see the last resting place of Sgt Major Harry Day, who was killed in action in 1943.

His son, Bob Day, said they were preparing to board the plane when all the passengers were told it was cancelled.

He said his group was not offered another flight from an alternative airport, but instead were told they would have to wait until 1 November.

"All we want is the money it cost to get us back home," Mr Day said.