'We can't leave the country': British family face Christmas and New Year stuck abroad after leaving passports on plane

Victoria Walker, 29, travelled from Manchester Airport with her mum, husband and two children Arabella, 3 and Tyler-Brooke, 10, yesterday morning (Mon, Dec 23).

The family were heading to Switzerland on an EasyJet for a skiing holiday, but their dream break turned into a nightmare when they got off the plane in Geneva.

Beautician Victoria was horrified as the family approached immigration control and realised her daughter had put the passports in the pocket of the seat in front of them and forgot about them.

Victoria Walker at the airport

By the time the family realised, their plane was already on its way back to Manchester.

Cannot return home

To make matters worse, the British Embassy in Switzerland is closed until the new year and the family cannot return home as the UK without a valid passport.

Victoria, of Leeds, West Yorks., has called on prime minister Boris Johnson to help her family get home after I'm A Celebrity... star Georgina Toffolo was released from an immigration centre after her passport was deemed invalid.

(L-R) Victoria Walker, her mother Georgina, daughters Arabella and Tyler-Brooke, and husband Ian. Picture: SWNS

She said: "If Boris Johnson can get Georgia Toffolo home he can do the same for me too right?"

Victoria added: "My daughter completely forgot until we couldn't find them at border control but she was too scared to say.

By the time she told me, the plane had already left and was on the way back to Manchester."

Stuck

Victoria Walker, 29.

Victoria said she was placed in an immigration room and told the family could stay in Switzerland, but they would be unable to return to the UK without their passports.

She added: "I can't fault the Swiss Immigration at all, they were nothing but supportive and helpful.

"Immigration have allowed us into the country however we cannot leave as the UK will not accept us back into the country without passports.

"I have my driving license however I have nothing else to prove who my girls are.

"I am currently stuck in Switzerland, unable to fly home or even hire a car, along with my two children, one of which is a baby and the Embassy is now closed until the new year.

Finding the passports

Victoria is now desparately attempting to recover her passports from the plane, which is believed to have travelled back to Manchester before another flight to Spain.

The family were originally expected to stay in Geneva for a skiing holiday and return on December 30, however now face an anxious wait to discover if their passports will be found and returned.

Victoria added: "We are just stuck now.

"My father is ill and we reluctantly came abroad knowing we could rush back if anything happens.

"Now I am worried, we can't leave the country."

Easyjet have been contacted for comment.