A CHESTER man who is stranded in a Peruvian town where tourists have died from coronavirus fears he will not be able to return home.

Photographer Neil Kendall is currently staying in a hostel in Cusco, Peru, which is under military lockdown, and is "desperate" for news of a repatriation flight.

But with none forthcoming, he fears becoming trapped "indefinitely" as there are now confirmed cases of the virus on the street where he his staying with a group of European and Canadian tourists.

Mr Kendall said one elderly Mexican tourist staying in a different building had sadly died, with his wife unable to say goodbye to him as she had been quarantined in a room next door.

The Chester resident had been hiking for numerous days in the Peruvian mountains unaware of the developing crisis and when the situation became apparent last week, he had only 12 hours to find a way to leave the country before the borders were closed but was unable to do so.

He is now urging people back home in the UK to contact their local MPs, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and British Ambassador to Peru, Kate Harrison, to raise awareness of the situation for stranded tourists.

In a Facebook video message, Mr Kendall said: "I'm keeping fit and healthy but the situation has changed quite quickly here over the last couple of days.

"We have had several tourists become infected with the virus and we have also learned, sadly, of several deaths.

"Our very real fear now with no word from the British Government or Home Office about repatriation flights is that we will not be able to make it home.

"We may, in effect, be trapped here because when we get the virus we are unable to board flights and it has now hit the street we are staying on.

"It's rather like being on the 17th floor of a building which is on fire. You're trying to call the ambulance, nothing is arriving, you're being told to stay put and yet every day the fire leaps up another floor and you're still trapped up there.

"It's an incredibly frustrating situation."

Neil also expressed thanks to everyone who has sent him "lovely" messages of support during a "stressful time".

Britsh Embassy Lima said in its latest statement: "We are aware of the challenges you are experiencing at this stressful time, especially after Peru’s announcement to extend the quarantine period. We are focusing all our efforts to assist British nationals in Peru.

"The first flight from Lima to London has now landed. We are working urgently with the Peruvian authorities, international governments and airlines to organise further flights back to the UK and domestic transfers in the coming days.

"We are also trying to arrange necessary permissions for people staying in remote places in Peru to travel to main cities if they choose. We are aware of the situation in Cusco and are in contact with British Nationals in the hostel where there has been a case of COVID-19.

"We appreciate your patience and understanding while we continue to make arrangements for further repatriation flights. If you know of a British person who wishes to leave and has not got in touch with us, ask them to do so at help@fco.gov.uk."