HUNDREDS of Dorset travellers face further misery as they remain stranded abroad following the volcanic ash crisis.

British airspace began opening last night after the six-day shutdown, but hundreds are expected to remain stranded abroad as flights are rescheduled and the backlog of passengers is cleared.

Passengers have been warned it will take days before normal flight patterns can resume, throwing the travel plans of thousands into disarray.

Bournemouth Airport has said today that flights can begin to operate to and from Bournemouth as soon as airlines are ready. But travellers are being told that it is essential to contact their airline or tour operator before travelling to the airport.

Many Dorset travellers have been making alternative arrangements to return home, while others have been stuck in countries across the globe.

The disruption has meant many teachers and pupils have still not made it back to school following the Easter break, leading to concerns that youngsters might miss vital GCSE and A-Level exam revision.

Condor Ferries has seen an increase in demand for ferry transfers. Services for today and tomorrow from France to the UK are fully booked and all ferry services from the UK to France for today are full.

Places are still available for Friday coming back to Weymouth and there will be an extra service tomorrow from Weymouth to the Channel Islands.

Passengers will then be able to make a short stop before continuing on to France.

A spokesman for Condor said: “We are seeing bookings coming through all the time really.

“People are still trying to find alternative travel arrangements.”

The company said that it had maintained its prices and that the majority of single foot passenger crossings would stay at £42.50.

Meanwhile, travellers have been telling of their despair as they desperately try to get home.

Sandra Jennings, 41, from Walditch and partner Mark Smith, 37, from Bridport are stranded in Spain. It is the first holiday she has taken without her children, Luke, 13 and Kyle, 10 and Mark’s daughter Charlotte, 14.

She said: “It’s been really emotional and I just desperately want to get home to my kids, although in a way I’m glad they’re not here with us as it would have been worse.”

Pete and Rosemary Dewhurst from Long Bredy are stranded in California with their children Rachael, 15, and Francesca, 10.

Mr Dewhurst, who works at Weymouth College, said: “Our flight was classified as ‘delayed’ because the plane is actually in the airport waiting to fly.”

Brian Martindill, of Knightsdale Road, Weymouth, was on holiday in Benidorm when the volcano erupted.

Mike Gale, manager of Moonfleet 2000 Indoor Bowls Club, where Brian plays, said: “I think they’ve got a flight back next Tuesday.”