This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8627922.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
TV presenter mounts Calais rescue Dan Snow's rescue mission halted
(about 6 hours later)
TV presenter Dan Snow has mounted an operation to help people who are stranded in France following flight cancellations to return to the UK. TV presenter Dan Snow's mission to bring back home people stranded in France has been halted by officials.
He has secured five rigid inflatable boats, each of which can hold ten people, which are being used throughout Sunday after leaving Dover at 0900 BST. The historian had filled three rigid inflatable boats with 25 people but was told by officials in Calais that he would not be able to return.
The team will ask for donations from those using the boats, with profits going to the Help for Heroes charity. Snow and his team had been planning on ferrying people back to Dover throughout Sunday. Each round trip was expected to take two hours.
Anyone requiring help can contact the operation via rescueteam@hotmail.co.uk. A spokesperson for the group said they did not know the reason why.
They can also go to www.twitter.com/calaisrescue for more information. He added that the team have been told that once these boats leave, they will not be able to return.
The trip from Dover to Calais and back is expected to take two hours. "It is hugely disappointing, particularly for the hundreds of people who were making their way to Calais, as well as for Dan and his team."
We have been shut down! No reason. Rescued 25 on way home shortly. No more boats we are very sorry. Dan Snow's message posted on Twitter
Dan Snow said the idea came about after his friend's wife became stranded as airspace across Europe was closed following the Icelandic volcanic ash alert.Dan Snow said the idea came about after his friend's wife became stranded as airspace across Europe was closed following the Icelandic volcanic ash alert.
He said it was also inspired by a recent project for the BBC marking the 70th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation.He said it was also inspired by a recent project for the BBC marking the 70th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation.
"I know this is a drop in the ocean to the thousands of stranded people around the world, but it's important that we all do our bit," he added. Speaking before he set off, he said: "Why can't we go and get some people - a few things have changed nowadays; health and safety, passport control, but I think we've dealt with all of that."
And he urged anyone with rigid inflatable boats that they would like to lend to the cause to get in touch. The pair had borrowed boats from a Dover yachting firm and had appealed to people who urgently needed to get back to the UK to make contact with them via Twitter.
His friend Sam Peters, whose wife is stranded, said: "We have a ground team in England who will be co-ordinating all the requests and we'll try to get as many trips completed as we can. But a tweet on Sunday afternoon said: "We have been shut down! No reason. Rescued 25 on way home shortly. No more boats we are very sorry."
"My main priority is to get Debs and her friends home safe and well. If we can help as many other people as possible in the process then even better." It came after a series of tweets had drummed up excitement ahead of the operation.
One, posted in France, said: "We are still loading the boats, plenty of room at the moment. Get to Calais!"
Have you been rescued by Dan Snow? Tell us about your journey using the form below. Snow and the team have now arrived back in Dover.
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions