A BRADFORD couple are stranded in Australia after attending a wedding, and have been quoted nearly £50,000 for a flight home.

With more routes set to shut as airports close because of the spread of coronavirus, Sarah and Greg Yates of Horton Bank Top have been told by the British consulate in Australian capital Canberra to return to the UK, but they are faced with flight costs they can't afford.

The couple arrived in Sydney on March 15 and travelled to Brisbane two days later for their friends' wedding.

"We were supposed to fly back last Tuesday. Our flights have been on time with Etihad all the time we have been here, then on March 24 they were cancelled," said Mrs Yates. "We rang the airline with no joy and went to Brisbane airport to ask how we're supposed to get home when they're not flying British people home. No-one is prepare to fly us home.

"We have been in touch with the British consulate in Canberra, they are telling us to get flights home and suggested Qatar airlines, which are quoting us $15 to $95,000 for the two of us - that's £7,500 to £47,000! We're now looking into flights for about £3,000 and are trying to get through to our insurance company but the lines are really busy. Before we book any flights we want to see if the insurance will pay."

The couple are staying with their friends, Julie Parsons and Charles Hardy, whose wedding they attended. Julie is from Bradford and has lived in Australia for 30 years.

"They originally invited Julie's family over from Bradford and New Zealand but they were unable to fly over due to coronavirus," said Mrs Yates. "A hundred guests were due at the wedding, but less then 50 made it. Our daughter Megan's wedding has also been cancelled back in Bradford. It was meant to be in May."

She added: "We are safe and having a good time with friends, so we're better off than a lot of people who are stranded overseas, but we just want to get home to our family now."

* British nationals in Australia who need to return to the UK are advised to register their details and current situation with the British High Commission’s registration site.

The British High Commission in Canberra is also issuing regular updates on Twitter and Facebook with the latest available information on flight departure options for British nationals wishing to leave Australia.

If you are unable to leave Australia and your visa is nearing expiry, you should contact the Australian authorities as soon as possible. See the Department of Home Affairs website.