A RAINHILL woman who has been left stranded in Australia during the coronavirus pandemic is looking to raise awareness of the situation of tourists unable to return home.

Becky Potter, 23, has been stranded in the Australian city of Brisbane for several days.

Becky was supposed to be travelling for three and a half months with University friends but this has been cut short and she has been left unable to get home from Brisbane.

She had booked a return flight for Wednesday, March 25 but this has been cancelled by airline Emirates.

Many British tourists have been calling for help to get home as travel lockdowns have left them stranded abroad.

For tourists Down Under the situation has been compounded by Singapore, a common transit point, closing its borders to visitors.

Becky has been posting videos on social media on her situation is looking to raise awareness of the situation and has had contact with MPs over the issue.

"We have lost a lot of money and we are completely stranded," she said.

"We are paying money out of our own pockets for accommodation and necessities as well. We're absolutely stranded and what we need is for our MPs to raise these cases in Parliament. We just need somebody to take responsibility for us.

"There are hundreds, if not thousands of British tourists that are stuck in Brisbane and all across Australia and other countries."

St Helens Star:

Becky and friends

Becky says things have started to move in the right direction and she has had contact with St Helens South and Whiston MP Marie Rimmer and also had emails from MP Jeremy Hunt, a message from Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and a phone call from MP Alex Burghart.

"There are a lot of other people as well and we are trying to raise awareness for everybody."

On the situation, Marie Rimmer MP said: "I have been contacted by many constituents who are currently stranded abroad, trying to get back home.

"My team and I will be in contact with all of those trying to get back home and we will work with the relevant authorities to do what we can. But the government must make sure that every British citizen can get home to their loved ones during this crisis."

A spokesman from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said: “We recognise British tourists abroad are finding it difficult to return to the UK because of the unprecedented international travel and domestic restrictions that are being introduced around the world – often with very little or no notice.

“The Government is seeking to keep key transit routes open as long as possible and is in touch with international partners and the airline industry to make this happen.”