A couple have been caught up in an international crisis for the second time - after being stranded in Egypt.

Paul and Rachel Edmunds, of Ash near Canterbury, are unable to leave the resort of Sharm el Sheikh after the government cancelled all flights into and out of the area.

The suspension of flights after the Russian air crash is believed to be affecting around 20,000 UK citizens.

But it is not the first time Paul, 54, and Rachel, 40, have been caught up in travel difficulties. In 2010 they were stranded in Spain due to the Icelandic volcano eruption that grounded all flights across Europe.

In that instance the couple were stranded for eight days.

Now, the pair are unsure when they will be able to leave their resort of the Red Sea holiday village, or the country itself.

The couple arrived on Tuesday - the eighth time they had holidayed in the area, after planning the trip for a year.

They are due to return on November 13.

Paul said: "I saw the coverage of the plane crash at home at the weekend. Initially I was concerned but as there were no warnings about coming here I assumed it was perfectly safe."

Paul and Rachel travelled with Thomson holidays, but have dealt with First Choice reps based in the hotel.

They and other travellers have been told they will all get home as soon as possible, but no-one yet knows when that will be.

There were hopes of an update at around midday today, UK time, but the government has now announced it could "take some time" to start flying UK tourists back from the region.

David Cameron said today it was vital to ensure people's safety after it became clear the Russian jet crash was "more likely than not" caused by a bomb.

David Edmunds said: "It's made everybody feel nervous because of the uncertainty, I have managed to contact family via Facebook."

He said he would consider revisiting the resort again, but only after assurances it was safe to do so.