A YOUNG Thurrock couple have told of their 24 hour 'holiday from hell' after being caught up in a dramatic exit from coronavirus-stricken Spain.

John Kent, 21, from Grays and girlfriend Ellie Pearson, 23, spoke to Thurrock Nub News from the tarmac at Gatwick airport today - 24 hours after they had flown out from Stansted for Barcelona.

The couple had marked their first six months together with a short break to the Spanish city but it turned into an expensive nightmare.

John, who works for Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions, takes up the story: "We were thrilled to be going away for the first time together and looking forward to a great break.

"We got away OK from Stansted with Ryanair and we thought we would be OK but when we got to Barcelona the place was in meltdown.

"The shops and bars were closed, and when we got to the hotel we were told by the manager to book a flight home immediately. There was coffee or tea available but that was it, though at least we were able to stay there.

"We managed to book two seats back on an EasyJet flight back to Gatwick early this morning at a cost of about £250.

"We lost the cost of the hotel too.

"We has only just taken off when the stewardess told us Spain had just been out in lockdown. We got out with about ten minutes to soar or we would have been stranded.

"And then, when we got back to Gatwick the stairs on the plane broke down and we had to sit around waiting to get off.

"Now we just can't wait to get back home - but we have been told we have to self-isolate, so it's seven days in Thurrock - not sunny Spain."

For information about coronavirus and links to latest updates visit Thurrock Nub News' guide HERE

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