French air traffic control strikes stop Brits getting home to vote on Brexit – so Ryanair offers them vouchers to get a free Burger King meal

HUNDREDS of Brits face being unable to vote in today's historic EU referendum after flights were cancelled leaving them stranded across Europe because of French air traffic control strikes.

People as far flung as France and Spain are unable to return home to vote on Brexit today due to the strikes - the 10th day of action in the last three months - which forced major airlines to cancel hundreds of flights.

Some Brits stuck in Valencia were offered some compensation though for their loss - with Ryanair texting them vouchers for five Euros off a meal at the airport's Burger King branch.

Student Luc Hinson was due to leave the Spanish city and return back to London Stansted this morning but says his flight has been delayed by more than two hours and the delay keeps getting longer.

The 21-year-old from Wendover Buckinghamshire, who has spent the last year in Valencia on the Erasmus student exchange programme, told The Sun: "We weren't told about the delay until five minutes before boarding was due to start. At the moment it's delayed by two hours and 17 minutes but that keeps increasing.

"I chose to fly back on this date so I could have my vote in my own hands without having to proxy or postal vote.

"It's important to me because it's the about the future of the country, a real chance for the country to give a democratic seal of approval to the EU."

Luc claims that stranded passengers were texted a code for money off a Burger King meal as compensation for the chaos which has affected flights across Europe.

Fellow student Emma Combes, who is due to start at the University of Bath in September, says she can't get back to the UK until Saturday after her easyJet flight from Madrid to Luton on Thursday afternoon was cancelled.

Emma claims the earliest flight she could get back free of charge wasn't until Monday so she has had to fork out an extra 190 Euros to get back on Saturday.

Emma, 18, from Bedford, who has been out in Spain on holiday with friends, told The Sun: "I was supposed to be flying home from Madrid to London Luton this afternoon, arriving back in enough time to vote this evening.

"I was informed yesterday that my flight has been cancelled due to the French air strikes meaning our plane is stuck in France.

"Now I am unable to get home until Saturday, and it is too late to register for a proxy vote."

The student says she is gutted because she wasn't old enough to vote in last year's general election and was "looking forward to being able to have [her] say this time".

Dozens of other travellers have taken to social media to voice their disgust at the cancellations and delays - many furious that they've been robbed of their right to vote by the strikes.

Dan Gourd posted on Twitter: "@David_Cameron @easyJet my easyJet flight from Marseille to Gatwick 2moro is cancelled so I cant vote on the EU referendum!! What can I do??"

Joel McConnell wrote: "I'm stuck in France can't get home to vote, flight cancelled cuz of air strikes."

Lesley B added: "My flight is cancelled & Wont be back for 10. I'm being told this isn't valid reason for a proxy vote. Doesn't sound right!! Anyone know?"

While Sarah Chivers asked: "@easyJet my flight home to the UK has been cancelled. What happens to my right to vote?"