West Country tourists stranded in Egypt begin flying home

West Country tourists stranded in Sharm el-Sheikh are beginning to fly home. Flights have left the Egyptian resort for London, but a Thomson flight expected to land in Bristol tonight has been cancelled.

There have been hundreds of people from our region among the 20,000 Britons stranded in the Egyptian resort - but Thomson is one of a few airlines to say it will start getting people home on Friday.

The government has said those coming home from Sharm will only be able to bring hand luggage, and no hold luggage at all - see [here for details of the restrictions](Flights will not be permitted to carry any hold luggage at all - including large medical items.http://www.itv.com/news/2015-11-05/wheelchairs-and-pushchairs-banned-from-flights-between-sharm-and-uk-as-strict-security-measures-unveiled/).

Thomson Airways is advising customers to keep an eye on noticeboards in hotels or check online for the latest information. There's also a 24-hr helpline on +44 3333 365147 or 82345 (text).

Discounts and refunds are being offered to those who had booked flights to the resort, which remain cancelled until late next week.

Earlier on Thursday, David Cameron warned it could "take some time" to start flying the estimated Brits in Sharm el-Sheikh home, but that their safety was the government’s first priority.

Flights were cancelled after the Prime Minister confirmed the recent plane crash was believed to be an act of terrorism.