A father-of-two has spoken of his “massive relief” at returning home safely after his family was caught up in the Sharm el-Sheikh terror alert.

Steve Charlton, who was in Egypt with his children and partner, Stacey Nolan, of Sittingbourne, says they virtually had one foot on the plane back to England when the flight ban was imposed by the British government.

“We got as far as the last checkout to get on the bus to the plane when security bowled up and shut everything down and pulled everyone off the buses,” he said.

“Someone who worked for EasyJet said: ‘This is the embassy – they have halted everything’.”

“A razor blade was found in someone’s hand luggage which had been through the scan. This was the first time around. The second time felt a lot safer but it was still a bit worrying” - Steve Charlton

The 35-year-old, who was on holiday with his cousin, Paul Overy, of Minster, Paul’s wife Priscilla, their two children and their niece.

Theirs was one of the first flights to return from the resort after the ban.

Commenting on the flight back to Luton, he added: “Our plane sat there for two-and-a-half days under armed guard by the Egyptian army.

“People say it’s the safest time to fly, but when you’re the one getting on that plane, it’s a bit scary. We were very nervous.

“There was a cheer and clapping when we landed – it was a massive relief.”

Mr Charlton, a self-employed builder of Homewood Avenue, says he witnessed worrying examples of lax security at Sharm airport, just days after a Russian plane that left the resort crashed, killing all on board.

“There was a person a couple of people in front who had 10 to 12 lighters which went through the scanner.

“A razor blade was found in someone’s hand luggage which had been through the scan. This was the first time around. The second time felt a lot safer but it was still a bit worrying.”

Paul and Rachel Edmunds from Ash were also staying in Sharm el-Sheikh.

Mr Edmunds, 54, and his wife, 40, were put on a priority list and flew home a few days before they were due to finish their holiday.

Mr Edmunds said: “I’m pleased to say we managed to get an early flight home on Monday.”

This is not the first time the couple 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.

Then the couple were stranded for eight days.

Strood-based beautician Abigail Hope de Garis and her husband Brendan were also among holidaymakers stranded in Sharm el-Sheikh.

The couple went for a romantic break to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary, leaving their four daughters with relatives.

After two days waiting for information, they eventually got a flight back to the UK on Friday and are now safely back home.

Mrs Hope de Garis said: “When I boarded the plane, I just went to pieces. My husband said ‘if you want to get off we can’ and if I did not have my children I would have. But I just wanted to get back to my children – that’s what kept me focused.”

She revealed that some passengers had taken exception to her emotional state on the plane. “I thought people’s attitude on the plane was disgusting. Some said ‘why are you getting upset – you could have been on the Russian plane’.”