Garron Akushie-Stevens said he now faces paying at least double the price of his original ticket to make it to Accra in Ghana.

The 26-year-old said airline TAP Portugal did not tell him and his three friends their flight was cancelled until they arrived at the airport on Friday morning.

The group said they were handed a selection pack of chocolate bars by staff, which "added insult to injury".

Mr Akushie-Stevens was due to attend his uncle's wedding on December 24, but has been told the earliest available flight is on Christmas Day.

"I'm highly disappointed. He is a very close uncle to me," he said.

"It's unacceptable. I feel disheartened. I feel traumatised by this experience.

"I feel let down. I feel as though I have been thrown to the wolves."

Mr Akushie-Stevens criticised the airline for the lack of information and accused it of "taking advantage" of the situation by only offering to cover the price of the original ticket.

He and his friends, who were planning a three-week trip, said they will have to cover the cost of more expensive tickets, which are on sale for up to £3,000.

"I have a wedding, I have to see my family members, my grandma - she's quite ill," he said.

"They have thrown us to the wolves. I can't go to see my grandma, I can't go to the wedding.

"It's unacceptable. It's deplorable."