Coronavirus news latest: More than 100 Brits evacuated from Wuhan released from quarantine in Milton Keynes

More than 100 people rescued from the coronavirus epicentre in China are being released from quarantine in Milton Keynes.

People staying at Kents Hill Park training and conference centre in Milton Keynes started to leave after their 14-day isolation period came to an end.

Some 118 guests rescued from Wuhan are being released on Sunday, NHS England confirmed.

The group, who were brought back to Britain earlier this month on a repatriation flight from Wuhan, included around 10 children and a family of four.

People with backpacks and suitcases were pictured getting into taxis outside the centre.

One man said it felt “fantastic” to leave quarantine and added that he was looking forward to sleeping in his own bed again.

Paul Walkinshaw, 39, from Manchester, left with his wife, Lihong, 33.

He told reporters: “It feels fantastic to leave, although it feels weird not having to wear a mask and gloves in public.

“The first 48 hours were hard when we were confined to our rooms, after that it was fine.”

The 39-year-old praised “friendly” staff and the local community for their support and said he was looking forward to sleeping in his own bed again.

“The first thing I’m going to do when I get home is sleep in my own bed.”

Around 150 people, who arrived in the UK on February 9 on an evacuation flight from the virus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan, had been staying at the centre.

They were tested regularaly and as of Saturday afternoon the Department of Health said no new cases of coronavirus had been detected in the UK.

It comes as dozens of evacuees from a coronavirus-hit cruise ship spent their first night quarantined at Arrowe Park hospital on the Wirral.

Thirty-two people, who spent more than two weeks trapped on the Diamond Princess cruise ship off the coast of Japan, arrived in Merseyside on Saturday evening.

Some of the group – reportedly made up of 30 Britons and two Irish nationals – made gestures from their coaches as they arrived at the Merseyside facility on Saturday evening – one forming a heart symbol with her hands and another an OK signal.

All of those who arrived at Arrowe Park tested negative to having Covid-19 before flying back to the UK.