ST HELENS North MP Conor McGinn has called on the government to urgently charter aircraft or use the military to get thousands of stranded British tourists home safely.

Mr McGinn says that more than 20 people in his constituency have been stranded abroad due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

These include in Australia, Nepal and Mexico.

St Helens South and Whiston MP says she has also been in touch with residents who are stuck overseas.

READ MORE > Woman stranded in Australia issues plea to help tourists who can't return home

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

The Labour MP for St Helens North says he has written to the Foreign and Defence Secretaries calling for them to do whatever is needed to return residents who are stuck.

In the letter he says: "These are truly unprecedented times and it is the duty of the Government to put out all the stops to help UK citizens endure this public health and economic crisis. It is now absolutely vital that drastic steps are taken to help those citizens in real need of assistance abroad."

He said one constituent was quoted £11,000 for an economy seat to fly home due to "exorbitant rates" from carriers still operating.

Mr McGinn said: "I have written to the Foreign and Defence Secretaries today to ask that they do whatever is required - including chartering flights or using the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy’s logistics capability - to ensure British citizens who are stranded abroad can urgently get home.

"There are over twenty people from St Helens North in this situation in countries like Australia, Nepal and Mexico; my office will continue to press the Government to ensure their safe return."