Passengers stranded as firm folds

Passengers were being advised to check the ATOL website for advice

East Midlands holidaymakers left stranded after holiday firm XL Leisure Group cancelled flights are uncertain when they will return to the UK.

All of XL's planes have been grounded and nationally more than 85,000 people are waiting to be brought home by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Sarah Julian from Nottingham, who is on holiday in Greece, said she does not know when she will get a return flight.

XL operates 14 flights a week from East Midlands Airport.

Speaking from Skiathos, Ms Julian said: "We are stuck here for the time being."

'Just stuck'

She said her family have been told they can stay in their apartment for another two nights.

Peter Lord from Breaston, Derbyshire is also in Skiathos and told BBC News: "The reps came up and gave us this piece of paper that said it had ceased trading - so we are just stuck here waiting."

East Midlands Airport cancelled a flight to Greece on Friday morning and sent the passengers home. The firm has cancelled two further departing flights on Friday.

Steve Jones, a spokesman from East Midlands Airport, said: "The passengers arrived expecting to go on holiday but obviously it did not happen - and most of them have decided to go home and review the situation with their travel agents or the CAA."

All XL Leisure Group customers are being advised to make alternative arrangements, an airport spokesman said.

The firm, which operates XL airlines, flies to 50 destinations, mainly in the Mediterranean.

The CAA said 85,000 people could be stranded abroad and 200,000 have made advance bookings with the company.