Rugby star's wife escapes Bangkok

Jamie Peacock captained England in the recent Rugby League World Cup

The pregnant wife of England rugby league captain Jamie Peacock and their four-year-old son have left Bangkok after being stranded for six days.

Faye Peacock had been due to fly back to England last Monday when the Thai capital's international airport was overrun by anti-government protesters.

She, her son and her mother Pat were on a flight to Stockholm on Sunday and due to arrive in Manchester on Monday.

Her husband was "absolutely delighted", said his club, the Leeds Rhinos.

"He can't wait for them to get home," said a club spokesman.

"He's looking forward to having them home for Christmas and then having the new baby in the new year.

"It's been a traumatic experience for the whole family, with Faye being seven months pregnant, but she's OK.

"We got word yesterday [Saturday] that they were likely to get a flight. They've been treated as an emergency case because she's pregnant and now they're in the air."

Tensions rising

The club thanked Leeds MPs Greg Mulholland and Hilary Benn, who is a cabinet minister, for maintaining contact with the Foreign Office throughout the ordeal.

Meanwhile, tensions were rising in Bangkok as thousands of anti-government protesters continued to occupy the city's two main airports for a sixth day.

Some 100,000 passengers remain stranded in the Thai capital. Some countries are putting on flights to bring them home.

Demonstrators want the government to step down, accusing it of being corrupt and hostile to the monarchy.