A TEENAGER and his younger sister cheated death as one of the worst hurricanes in history devastated the Cayman Islands.

This week their worried dad, Accrington haulier Sean Fenton, said he feared for his children's lives as he watched TV footage of Hurricane Ivan wreak havoc on the island where his children now live.

Thirteen-year-old William and nine-year-old Holly have lived in George Town, Grand Cayman, since last year when they moved there with their mother, Mr Fenton's ex-wife Diane.

The roof of their house was torn off by the hurricane, forcing them to evacuate the building and seek shelter with a friend.

Mr Fenton told the Observer: "They were frightened to death - their house was under three feet of water when the roof blew off.

"They had to spend around 20 hours on the stairs of the house until it was safe to leave, which is a long time for children to have to wait.''

Mr Fenton spent an agonising 24 hours waiting to hear if William and Holly had escaped the wrath of the hurricane. Eventually they managed to make contact by mobile phone.

A relieved Mr Fenton, who is self-employed and works from his home in Nutter Road, added: "I have not heard from them myself but my ex-wife contacted her mum and dad, and they said they were all safe and well.

"I am relieved they are okay but I am very keen to hear from them and I am hoping I will be able to contact them soon.

"I have not been able to get in touch with them. All the electricity is off because of the hurricane. I rang the British Embassy over there but it hasn't been able to tell me very much."

Mr Fenton is waiting for the authorities to restore electricity to the Cayman Islands so he can contact his children.

He said: "My partner Elaine and I are very concerned about them, and my step-children Dane and Leyton keep asking if I have heard anything. I keep watching Sky News but there is very little new information."