A WORCESTER wedding party arrived safe but shaken in the Dominican Republic yesterday after fleeing hurricane-torn Cancun.

The group contacted family in the city to let them know they had escaped the 150mph winds and flash floods of hurricane Wilma alive.

Loved-ones told of their relief that the eight adults and three children, all under six, had flown from the Mexican resort but added they were not sure when they would be able to return home.

Bridesmaid Carly Warman, aged 24, waded through filthy flood water to get to a public phone box and call her worried dad, Adrian Warman.

Mr Warman said his daughter, who lives in Brittania Square, Barbourne, had faced days with no food or sanitary facilities, sheltering in a school classroom. Two of the children were also taken to hospital yesterday and treated for skin irritation.

"They have obviously endured the most frightening few days of their lives.

"We are just so thrilled they were rescued and taken to safety," he said.

The group had to endure a gruelling 12-hour bus journey through gangs of looters to get to the nearest airport.

Mr Warman added: "I believe the bus journey was horrific, with flood water up to the windows at some points. They even had a hammer in case they needed to smash the windows to get out."

The Worcester News reported yesterday how retired fire fighter Colin Gillett, of Claines, and his family and friends had failed to make contact for days after they had braved the storm, and friend were getting worried about their safety.

The party had travelled to the country to celebrate the wedding of a lifetime between Colin's son Daniel and Carly's best friend Sarah Jameson.

Family friend Gordon Reid, of Northwick, added: "They are all safe but I think they have had a terrible ordeal. We are now just waiting to see when they can come home and recover."