Four children stranded in Venezuela when their parents were arrested allegedly trying to leave the country with suitcases stuffed with cocaine were tonight reunited with family members.

Relatives flew out to see the children who had been placed in foster care when Paul and Laura Makin were taken into custody, the Foreign Office said.

Makin, 31, and his wife, were arrested on Monday at Porlamar airport on the holiday island of Margarita as they tried to board a flight to London.

They were immediately detained and their twins Libby and Lucy, aged two, were taken into care.

They were joined by Mrs Makin’s children from a previous relationship Jack, eight and Megan, seven.

The family had been on a First Choice package holiday.

Councillor Brian Kenny, chair of governors at the eldest children’s school, Mersey Park Primary, said tonight: "It is obviously a very traumatic situation for the children - the whole situation sounds really horrific."

Makin’s solicitor John Wheate said he was working to ensure the children’s repatriation.

News of the arrests stunned the couple’s family back home in Merseyside.

Makin’s mother, Chris Makin, said: "I am in the dark.

"I am just interested in getting the children back in the country.

"The press seem to know a damn sight more than me.