A holidaymaker today told of her horror as she sheltered in a casino from the devastating Hurricane Georges.

Kathy and husband Colin Smith were holed up with hundreds of other travellers as the hurricane, now sweeping through America, caused 155mph havoc in the Caribbean.

They was eventually airlifted to safety - after learning of at least five deaths from the violent storms.

The pair, of Barrington Close, Basildon, spent the majority of their dream holiday to St Kitts barricaded in a casino. They had been evacuated from their hotel in preparation for hurricane Georges.

Just two days into their week-long break, the couple joined nearly 400 other Britons and Canadians in the shelter as winds of up to 155mph caused destruction.

Five people were left dead while two others - who had gone over a cliff in their car - were reported missing on the island.

Mrs Smith said the community spirit kept them going.

She said: "I am glad to be home, but I still look back on it as a good holiday.

"We arrived in St Kitts on Friday, September 11, and were hit by the hurricane overnight on Sunday. We were supposed to come back home the following Friday but were eventually airlifted out on Thursday.

"We had no running water and no electricity so the conditions were bleak. We were in the casino for 23 hours. By the end there was 85 per cent damage on the island.

"The devastation was terrible. It is awful that we have come back to our homes while they live with the destruction.

"It was very scary. The casino was hot and everyone was jittery. There were also seven pregnant women in there. I cannot praise the staff on the complex enough. Everyone was running around doing what they could. Our First Choice holiday rep was even helping out in the kitchen.

"We had been watching the Weather Channel so we knew to expect the hurricane but were not sure how bad it was going to be.

"We knew it was serious when staff started asking for volunteers with medical experience. We were actually in the eye of the storm."

The couple were airlifted out and thought the seven hour flight would put an end to the nightmare.

But the plane ended up being diverted to refuel and the journey home - via Manchester Airport because of fog over Gatwick - took around 22 hours.

Mrs Smith added: "I have never been so exhausted. It was a horrible thing to go through but the atmosphere was great. I have not been put off holidays. Lightning does not strike twice!"

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