Stranded because of volcanic ash and relying on credit cards

Credit cards are coming in handy for two English women stranded in Australia.

Two young English women stranded in Australia because of the volcanic ash eruption in Iceland are having to rely on their credit cards to get by.

Catherine Wilce, 21, has spent the last three weeks travelling the country – through Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Alice Springs - with her friend Claire Williams but they cannot get back to England because of the lack of air travel.

Ms Wilce said: "I'm putting everything on my credit card so I have a record for the insurance company."

The pair are also waiting on their travel insurance to come through, but have been helped out by their hostel who gave them a 20 per cent discount.

She added: "My brother was in Australia too, but he left … and got out just in time."

Westpac announced last week it would waive interest penalties for those with its term deposits affected by the recent flooding in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

By Joe Letts