A long-term volunteer for the Marlborough Brandt Group will be on an emergency flight home from The Gambia in light of the political uncertainty hanging over the country.

Anita Bew, who has volunteered for the charity for around 30 years, has been helping out at a pre-school in Gunjur, a town Marlborough is twinned with, for the past few weeks.

However on the advise of the Foreign Office, Mrs Bew and thousands of British tourists have been told to evacuate the nation as Gambia's president of 22 years has refused to hand over power after losing an election.

Mrs Bew, who lives in Calne, will fly home, courtesy of Thomas Cook, on Friday evening, cutting short her six-week volunteering stay.  

Her 44-year-old son Darren, who also volunteers for the group, said: "I have been talking to her and she is safe, comfortable and secure. She loves what she does and has great friends out there but in situations such as this when things are up in the air you have to take the safe approach.

"These situations can escalate at any time so it is the right thing to do and I will see her on Saturday morning."

The Marlborough Brandt Group is a community based charity that supports the partnership link between Marlborough, Wiltshire and Gunjur, The Gambia.

Karen Bulsara, director of the charity, said: "Hopefully this whole thing will be a safe and peaceful transition and Anita will return safely when she flies back tomorrow."

Senegalese troops have been waiting at the Gambian border if no political solution is achieved.

More to follow.