A MAN who has just returned from a week’s holiday to Sharm el-Sheikh has spoken of his surprise at seeing tourists still jetting out to the holiday resort.

Andy Ward, 35, touched down at Bournemouth Airport on Friday morning with his girlfriend Holly, 25, around 12.20am following a week at the popular Red Sea resort in Egypt.

And while he says he saw no rioting or protesting, the kite surfer from Poole said the atmosphere in areas such as Na’ama Bay was “increasingly tense”.

He witnessed armed police in vans patrolling the streets, which he says are unusually quiet and said he was warned that from yesterday things “could get bad”.

Andy said: “We were told by some people in our hotel that they had witnessed a fight one evening with about 40 locals – both pro Mubarak and anti-Mubarak.

“We often went into Na’ama Bay in the evening and although we didn’t see anything, it was very tense out there.

“I was shocked at waiting to depart from the airport and seeing the Bournemouth plane arrive.

“We just felt glad to come back. There might not be any trouble but it felt like something could happen at any time.

“We felt vulnerable because of the atmosphere and were glad to get back.”

The Foreign Office advice yesterday said that according to the latest information, the Red Sea Resorts, including Sharm el Sheikh, remain calm.

It does warn that the situation across Egypt is “unpredictable” and may change quickly and advises holidaymakers to stay in touch with their tour operator.

Walkford resident Mike Fisher, who was due to fly out to Sharm el-Sheikh next Thursday from Bournemouth said he and his wife had cancelled their week-long holiday amid reports of food shortages and a breakdown in communications.

He said he has been told by Thomson he will not receive a refund.

A spokesperson for the holiday company said: “People should also take considerable reassurance from the fact that the resort of Sharm el Sheikh operates like a country in itself. It is run separately from the rest of the Egypt, benefits from having just one secure road into the resort, and enjoys an exceptionally low crime rate.

“The safety of our customers is always our number one priority and we will continue to take a measured approach throughout, as the situation continues.”