A woman from Dartford is among the 3,500 passengers stuck on-board a coronavirus-hit cruise ship, and has spoke out about the ordeal.

The Grand Princess is currently stranded off the coast of California, and its passengers could face weeks of isolation

There are over 3,500 people on board the cruise ship, including 140 Britons, and so far half of those who have been tested, 21 people, have tested positive for COVID-19.

Jackie Bissell, from Dartford in Kent, had booked the cruise with a friend as part of her 70th birthday celebrations.

She told Radio 4's Today Programme on Saturday that passengers had only been told on Thursday that there might be something wrong.

She said: "We had a note popped through the door saying that this virus might be on the ship - they removed the salt, the pepper.

"We could touch absolutely nothing, if you wanted sugar in your tea or coffee they would come along and do it for you rather than you touching any of these items.

"You can't go out, you can just go out in the hall if someone taps the door. They put the food outside, drop your menus inside and that's about it."

But she said life on board "has not been too bad" so far.

"It was a bit mish mash yesterday but today they've got things a lot more organised," she said.

"We're very comfortable and everything you need will be brought to you - eventually - and we are absolutely fine and the ship is fine."

Ms Bissell said those on board have been given very little information on what happens next.

"The only information we've got is off the news and we can't take that as gospel," she said.

"We are waiting for the ship's captain - but I think he's as much in the dark as we are and he's said he's only giving us information as and when he gets it."

Fellow passengers Neil and Victoria Hanlon, from Bridgwater in Somerset, said they had noticed some people looking very ill as long as a week ago.

US vice-president Mike Pence said on Friday that the Grand Princess is currently being directed to a non-commercial port for testing.

The Grand Princess is owned by Princess Cruises, and a spokesman said on Friday evening: "We are awaiting official specific plans for future positioning of the ship from relevant authorities.

"Princess Cruises will continue to closely follow the guidance of the CDC and other federal and state government authorities."

Princess Cruises also owns the Diamond Princess ship which was quarantined off the coast of Japan for several weeks earlier this year.

The ship became a breeding ground for the virus as staff continued to carry out their cooking, serving and cleaning duties while the ship was immobile.

Around 700 people caught coronavirus while in quarantine, more than a quarter of the 2,600 people on board.

The Japanese authorities later admitted the approach was flawed.