Cornish surfers stranded in Morocco

The Cornwall-based English junior surf team is stranded in Morocco following a protest at Stansted Airport that has delayed all flights.

The 16-strong group was due to fly back to England this morning after competing in the European Surfing Games in Agadir.

But when they went to check in this morning they were told Stansted was closed and were left desperate for information.

Team manager, Paul Jeffery, who lives in Newquay, said: “After hearing that Newquay Airport was closed while we in Morocco I thought it was a joke that Stansted was closed as well. I phoned home and asked my partner to find out what was happening and then found out it really was shut.”

The runway was closed as a precaution this morning after more than 50 protestors occupied a secure area near the runway. Police have so far arrested 39 people, who were campaigning on behalf of Plane Stupid – an environmental campaign group.

The group’s website that the action was intended to draw attention to CO2 emissions from the aviation industry and the protesters intended to occupy the area for as long as possible.

Mr Jeffery added: “We know we will get home eventually, but we still don’t know if we will be delayed coming into Stansted or diverted elsewhere.

“We also have to make alternative arrangements to get back from the airport, which is a real headache.”

Airline Ryanair said it had had to cancel 52 flights in and out of Stansted. A spokesman said the incident was "unacceptable" and demanded an investigation into how it happened.

Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news