A FATHER from Stroud has vowed to return to Sharm el-Sheikh after his family and friends narrowly missed the disruption following what is now believed to have been a terrorist attack on a plane.

The Russian aircraft was flying from Sharm to St Petersburg last Saturday when it crashed in the Sinai desert, killing all 224 people on board.

Holidaymaker Andy Williams, his partner Lisa McNally and children along with family friends the Bennetts, flew out of the Egyptian airport just 24 hours before the disaster.

Despite security fears at the airport, Mr Williams said his family and friends felt ‘safe’.

He said: “We could not fault the security at the airport and they took a long time checking us in and out, but we didn’t really mind as it made us feel safe.”

Mr Williams said he would be 'happy' to holiday in the resort again.

He added: “Sharm is a fantastic place and we would happily return. The Egyptian people are some of the most friendliest people you'll ever meet.

“Tourism is the only income they have and it’s such a shame they're going to suffer for something they had nothing to do with.”

Only eight of the 29 rescue flights from Sharm El-Sheikh are expected to leave today as tourists are turned away at the airport and flights suspended