Bad weather dampens holiday spirit in Canaries

IRISH holidaymakers jetting off for some pre-Christmas sun could be in for a nasty surprise if they head for the Canary Islands.

For the past week the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria have been experiencing their worst weather in decades with reports of violent flash floods and severe thunderstorms bringing chaos to resort areas.

In Playa De Las Americas on Tenerife, torrential rain flooded hotel rooms and apartments. Never built to withstand such an onslaught, the rain poured into bedrooms and living areas, leaving hundreds of holidaymakers stranded.