by Sarah Shaffi

sshaffi@thekmgroup.co.uk

Parents of pupils stranded on a school trip in Hong Kong because of the volcanic ash crisis may not see their children for weeks.

Four teachers and 29 students from the Math School in Rochester went on a 10-day trip to Foshan in China over the Easter holidays. The group was due to arrive home on Friday, April 16 but the flight was cancelled because of the cloud of volcanic ash that has disrupted aviation across the world.

The party is now booked on a flight on May 15, a month after they were due to return, although the school hopes they will be home next week.

Parent Catherine Stephenson, whose 12-year-old son Jonathan is on the trip, said: “The children are safe and well but the thing worrying us is the return date of May 15.

“It’s ridiculous and I hope they get on to flights much earlier than that date.”

Head teacher Dr Gary Holden said work was being sent out so the pupils could continue with their lessons.

For full story see today's (Friday) Medway Messenger.