A crises meeting of the Government’s emergency committee Cobra has resulted in the announcement that three Royal Navy ships will be deployed to repatriate British holiday makers stranded abroad by the closure of UK airspace.

HMS Ark Royal and HMS Ocean have been deployed to the English channel to help with the relief effort while HMS Albion is heading towards Spain.

A special advice line for callers in the UK who are concerned about the well-being of relatives stranded overseas has been set up on 020 7008 0000.

For more information on the repatriation plans click here www.number10.gov.uk/Page23108