A Canvey teacher stranded in Australia because of a bureaucratic botch has made the dramatic decision to stay there for good.
Monica Ryan, 60, is from Australia but moved to the UK with husband Mick two years ago and has been teaching at Winter Gardens Primary School on Canvey.
But she took a trip to Melbourne in August and was told she could not fly back to Britain because she did not have the right paperwork.
Since then Mrs Ryan has made countless trips to the British High Commission in Australia but was told she needed to apply for an extension on her teaching work permit.
However, she has now decided to resign from her beloved job and quit the UK.
Her husband Mick Ryan, 59, a customer services department worker for c2c trains in Westcliff, said the bungle has put an end to their travelling dreams.
He said: "We really are very disappointed and disillusioned with the whole thing.
"And it's been very hard because she's been over there and I've been here."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article