A FAMILY were all strapped in and ready for take off when their dream holiday to Cancun was cancelled.

Michelle Cook, 41, partner Adam Saunders, 43, and their two children - Charlie, eight, and Raquel, 15 - were on board their plane and watching the safety video when the dreaded announcement came.

Passengers were told over the intercom the Foreign Office had cancelled all flights to Mexico because of Hurricane Dean, which had already wreaked havoc across the Caribbean.

Michelle said: "We had no idea about the hurricane. We just couldn't believe it.

"The whole plane went very quiet and subdued. My kids were devastated. They were in tears.

"The holiday had been booked for more than a year and we were really looking forward to it. We were going to buy a bottle of champagne to celebrate."

Michelle added: "One couple were going out to get married and had all their family with them. Everyone on the plane was absolutely gutted.

"We had to take our duty-free back and the desk for First Choice with whom we booked, was closed. Then we had to go back through immigration and to try to find our luggage. It took hours."

The Shoebury family shelled out more than £5,500 for the two-week all-inclusive holiday, which should have started last Saturday.

First Choice has offered customers the choice of a full refund or the chance to rebook a different holiday. In the end, the family decided to go to Cyprus for two weeks and will fly out today.

They will also be able to claim back the difference in cost.

Michelle added: "We're glad now we aren't out there, but at the time it didn't make it any easier. It doesn't take away the upset and frustration we feel.

"Our dream holiday was wiped out, but I've promised the kids we will still get to go there one day."

Jack's in charge

A FORMER Westcliff resident has been coordinating hurricane emergency plans.

Stuart Jack, a one-time pupil at Westcliff High School for Boys, is the governor of the Cayman Islands, a British overseas territory, which was in the path of Dean.

Ahead of the storm, Mr Jack ordered the evacuation of thousands of tourists and imposed a curfew to ensure islanders took cover from the hurricane, which passed on Sunday night.

In the event, the islands escaped the worst of the onslaught and Mr Jack, former Hamlet Court Road resident, was able to declare the all-clear on Monday evening.

Mr Jack joined the foreign office in 1972 and has been governor of the Caribbean territory since November 2005.