PASSENGERS last night spoke of their relief as flights began to touch down at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

A total of 30 departures and 25 arrivals took place at the airport yesterday – just under half the usual amount.

Even more flights are expected to take off and land today, ending days of misery caused by the volcanic eruption.

Some of the people arriving home had been stranded for five days with no idea of when, or how, they would get home.

Steve and Eva Lamin, from Tarleton, landed just after 4pm from Naples, where they had been on holiday.

The couple, who were due to come home last Friday, were desperate to get back home to their 11-year-old son Mark, who had been staying with his grandmother.

Mr Lamin, a headteacher at Kingsfold Christian School, in Hesketh Bank, Southport, said: “The most difficult thing has been not knowing if this flight was going to go. The night before, it was looking like we were going to have to wait another week.”

Eva added: “People have been stressed and anxious about getting home so to finally make it is fantastic.”

Ruth and Peter Balmer, from Preston, had also been to Naples with their friends Jean and John Robinson, from Kendal.

Mrs Balmer said: “We were due to come back on Sunday, but we heard what had happened on the TV. I’m a nursery nurse and have to get back to work, so we thought we would have to drive.”

Mr Balmer added: “It’s been stressful and it’s cost us a lot of money. We had insurance but I don’t think we’re going to get much back. We’re just so relieved to be home.”