'REFUGEES'

Thousands of people have been trapped in the nightmare scenario after flights in and out of the UK were grounded due to the risks to planes caused by the presence of volcanic ash in the atmosphere.

A delegation from Ballymoney Twinning Association is currently stranded on the Isle of Man and may have to board speed boats today in order to return home.

And the congregation of Ballymoney Baptist Church is eagerly awaiting news from the church's minister Colin Adams who is currently stranded in New York.

Pastor Adams was due to return home last Friday following a gospel conference in Kentucky.

But the presence of volcanic dust in the air grounded his flight and he is currently frantically trying to get back to Ballymoney to his three children and wife Nicki who is eight-and-a-half months pregnant.

Also stranded is a group from Ballymoney including the Causeway Netball team and Ballymoney Table Tennis Club, who travelled to Douglas last Friday on a trip organised by the Twinning Association.

The 16-strong party were due to fly home on Sunday however their flight was cancelled. With the next available ferry back to Northern Ireland more than a week away, one of the group is hoping to arrange the rescue of the group by speed boat.

It is understood one of the member's friends owns a vessel and is prepared to set sail from Kilkeel today to aid the stricken party.

Speaking to the Times yesterday, Chairperson of the Twinning Association, Paula Whyte, said: "The whole thing is becoming a nightmare situation.

"There are 16 of us here: Benny Knight, Helen McKeown, Arlene McVicker and myself from the Twinning Association as well as members of the Causeway Netball club including Brenda Boyle and Ballymoney Table Tennis Club with John Fall.

"We were told there was a flight today at 1pm but that's not happening now.

"We really are getting desperate. We are still staying in the Hilton, however it's getting very costly for everyone involved with food, accommodation, etc.

"Our only way of trying to sort things out and contacting home is using our mobile phones and that too is really expensive over here - our bills will be horrific.

"We all have families to go home to and work commitments but the whole thing is out of our hands - we all just feel like refugees."

Praising members of the Douglas Twinning Association and local community, Ms Whyte, who is also Principal of Bushvalley Primary School, added: "Everyone here has been absolutely exceptional and are doing everything they can to help us.

"I've contacted Seacat and there's not another ferry until Thursday, April 29, which is no good to us.

"There's supposed to be a flight tomorrow however I'm watching the TV now and the volcano has just erupted again. I just can't believe what's happening.

"However I can't just sit here and wait, so at the minute I'm trying to organise a back up plan. My friend has a speed boat in Kilkeel and if a flight doesn't go soon then desperate measures will have to be taken."

Ballycastle's Dara O'hArtghaile has also been stranded in Singapore since last Thursday.

Dara was travelling to Vietnaam to complete a sponsored cycle with other members of the Children in Crossfire charity.

A source revealed: 'Dara's had to spend a few nights in the airport. He is however safe and well and now in a hotel.'