Students from Harrogate are scrambling to get back home from Spain as coronavirus forces the country into lockdown.

Bethany Sadler from Harrogate had been studying at the University of Granada as part of her year abroad with the University of Birmingham.

The 21-year-old, who studies English and Drama, told The Stray Ferret that the situation in Spain has been “spiralling out of control.”

She said: “The scariest part was how quickly everything changed. We were only placed on lockdown over the weekend.

“We were told on Friday that the university was going to stay open but now we aren’t even allowed outside.

“The police will approach you if you venture outside to ask you what you are doing.”

COVID-19 has hit Spain hard with 9,428 confirmed cases and 335 deaths.

Bethany said she was extremely anxious that she would not be able to book a flight home but landed safely today.

She said that many of her friends had been spending up to £1,000 by booking flights and taxis to make it back to the UK.

It comes as seven people have tested positive for coronavirus in North Yorkshire with one patient being cared for at Harrogate District Hospital.

The NHS is asking people to stay at home for seven days if they have a high temperature or a new, continuous cough.

For the latest advice from Harrogate District Hospital on COVID-19 click here