A COUPLE who were stranded in Spain since last winter due to the coronavirus crisis have finally returned home.

Denis and Shelley Chirgwin were stuck with their dog Bunty in the town of Nerja on the Costa del Sol after the Spanish government put the country in lockdown.

Previous attempts to get home had failed, but the Malvern residents finally arrived back in the town last week.

Mr Chirgwin said: "Day one, no hotels open in Spain, so a 560-mile, 11 hour drive beyond the Spanish border with extremely quite roads. We arrived in Saint-Jean-Le-Luz in France and turned in for the night.

READ MORE: Farmers say more pickers are needed during coronavirus crisis

"Day two was a very easy six-hour drive through an almost deserted France to our next hotel, where they were only allowing one person per room

"Day three meant a four hour drive to Calais again without incident and a simple pet check for Miss Bunty and amazingly only 19 vehicles on our train home.

"The shock of arrival is hard to believe as there were so many cars on the road. We went from two countries that have been so strict to a wonderland allowing so much unafraid contact.

READ MORE: Malvern taxi fares could be due to rise for the first time in six years

"No one has gloves or masks and when buying fuel I was terrified at the close proximity of people, in one petrol station there were twelve people milling around picking things up in the shop and queuing to pay for them, with no protection.

"On a happier note, it is a joy to be home, safe and well where we will stay locked down until this deadly virus is beaten."

Mr and Mrs Chirgwin initially went to Spain last November, but were caught out by the lockdown in Spain.

Despite government plans to repatriate stranded British travellers, they were stuck as they had driven to Spain rather than flying, so could not get home that way.

They had multiple ferry crossings cancelled at the last minute before finally being able to arrive home at the end of April.