But after the breakdown, far from getting all passengers and possessions home again, as pledged, the family say Green Flag’s breakdown policy meant they had to ditch an estimated £600 worth of possessions, including 12 bottles of wine.

Green Flag did eventually agree to pay for return flights from Germany to Manchester, but after four weeks away the family-of-four had much more than the basic luggage allowance.

But the firm refused to pay the £400 excess luggage to cover essential personal items the Lawtons did not want to leave behind.

And to add to their misery, Jo and Mark never got to enjoy the planned anniversary break as Green Flag made a huge logistical error.

One of the company’s operators had originally suggested the family drive their belongings home in a hire car, via a ferry from Hamburg to Newcastle.

Eldest son Josh was not old enough to hire a car himself, according to Green Flag policy.

So the firm agreed to arrange for Jo and Mark to travel by sleeper train from Italy to Germany to take charge of the situation.

“You would expect a breakdown company to know what to do if you breakdown and become stuck while abroad. They didn’t have a clue and it has cost us.”

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