A group of nine family and friends from Sittingbourne and Sheppey are among the thousands of holidaymakers stranded in Egypt after flights were suspended due to fears about terrorism.

Steve Charlton, his two children and partner Stacey Nolan, of Sittingbourne, were in Sharm el-Sheikh when the Government decided no planes would fly between Britain and the resort.

They were on holiday with Steve's cousin Paul Overy, wife Priscilla and their children, from the island.

Mr Charlton, a self-employed brick-layer, said he hoped to return home today on one of the planes being sent to Egypt by the Government.

But there was chaos this morning at the hotel they had been moved to by officials from the British embassy.

EasyJet has also cancelled eight out of 10 flights that were due to fly out of the country today.

"The British Embassy is a joke," said 35-year-old Mr Charlton.

"They brought us to the hotel and we haven't seen them since.

"There's hundreds of people trying to get on three buses sent to take us to the airport - but no embassy personnel in sight.

"No one knows what's happening."

The group were due to return home earlier this week and their flight had started boarding when the suspension came into force.

Mr Charlton, a former Westlands pupil, says he supports the Government's action.

"It's about keeping people safe at the end of the day," he added.