A COUPLE caught up in the terrorist attacks in Tunisia have told how they are 'scared for their lives'.

Tina-Maria Gallagher and Andy Davies, from Farnworth, are staying in the next hotel up from where gunmen murdered at least 38 people on a beach outside the Hotel Riu Imperial Marhaba.

The pair had just arrived at the Sahara Beach Hotel on a ten day holiday when the attack happened and have since been told to stay in their hotel as it is not safe for them to go outside.

Despite airlines putting on mercy flights for the thousands of British holidaymakers in Tunisia, the couple claim they have been given no information and may be forced to stay in the resort until their scheduled flight home on July 6.

Mother-of-two Miss Gallagher, aged 35, said she 'just wants to come home'. She added: "We are in a hotel just up from where the attack took place and our hotel is right on the beach. We didn't know what had happened until there was police all over the beach, they are still there today and have upped security.

"It is being leaked to us today that there have been more threats out here which is more worrying and scary.

"Me and my partner both have kids like most people and to be away from then in this situation is heartbreaking as you can imagine.

"We are confused as to why we can't come home when other airlines are letting people back, we are still waiting for a phone call back from the Thomas Cook head office. I just want to come home I don't want to be here worrying and scared for my life."

Miss Gallagher said the situation is making her a 'nervous wreck' and she is struggling to sleep.

She added: "We are not sleeping, every noise or kids cry make us on pins we are nervous wrecks and don't trust anyone.

"Yesterday and today we have been told there's no trips, we can't go out of the hotel as it's not safe, we can't cancel our holiday and there's no flights for us and we should just put up with it.

"We are disgusted the way we have been treated and are left to feel. People are worried and scared because we are not allowed out of the hotel."

Nobody from Thomas Cook was available for comment on the couple's case.

In a general statement the company said 1,100 people who cut short their stay in the North African country were among 3,600 who have flown back since the attack. It laid on two extra flights yesterday and another today. It said it is offering customers due to travel to Tunisia up to July 4 the chance to cancel or alter their booking, with those travelling after July 5 able to rebook for free.

The foreign office have released a statement advising holidaymakers to be 'especially vigilant'.

A spokesman said: "Further terrorist attacks in Tunisia, including in tourist resorts, are possible, including by individuals who are unknown to the authorities and whose actions are inspired by terrorist groups via social media.

"You should be especially vigilant at this time and follow the advice of Tunisian security authorities and your tour operator."

Among the holidaymakers returning home from Tunisia are young Westhoughton couple Matthew Queen, aged 20, and Jessica Charleston, aged 19, who were on their first couple’s holiday when the shooting happened.

The couple were staying at The Eden Club in Skanes, about eight miles away from the spot where an armed terrorist opened fire on a beach outside the Hotel Riu Imperial Marhaba in Tunisia, but had visited Sousse just days before.