Shipwrecked couple expected home

Brian and Gillian Lee are 'avid' explorers, their daughter says

A husband and wife from Shropshire are preparing to return home after being rescued from a cruise ship which sank in the Antarctic.

Brian and Gillian Lee from School Grove, Oakengates, in Telford were on the M/S Explorer when it began taking on water on Friday.

The couple's daughter Diane Willetts told BBC News that her parents hope to leave Buenos Aires later.

She said they were "avid" explorers and doubts they will be put off travelling.

'Glued' to television

They sailed to the Arctic on the same ship earlier this year and then decided to travel to the Antarctic - in the same cabin - after having such and enjoyable trip, she added.

Ms Willets said she had not spoken to her parents but had been receiving text messages from her mother.

"They are going to be leaving at 6pm (2100 GMT) their time and flying into Birmingham tomorrow (Tuesday).

"They seem fine and they're looking forward to coming home."

Her 95-year-old grandmother was the first to inform her of what happened on Friday, assuring her they were safe. Since then she said she has been "glued" to the television.

Mr and Mrs Lee have lost nearly all of their luggage.

The Explorer sank on Friday after being damaged close to the South Shetland Islands.

The tour group had embarked from Ushuaia, on Argentina's southern tip, on 11 November for a 19-day "Spirit of Shackleton" cruise through the Drake Passage, costing from around $8,000 (£3,900) per cabin.