TEENAGE students who sparked an international search during a week-long ‘bunk’ from school are expected to return to the UK in the next few days – after reportedly being found in a run-down apartment.

Edward Bunyan, 16, and Indira Gainiyeva, 17, were found by police in the Dominican Republic on Sunday after fleeing Stonyhurst College in the Ribble Valley on Monday, January 13.

According to national newspaper reports, the sixth formers spent thousands on credit cards at a luxury resort in Punta Cana before hiding out in the apartment as publicity of their tale gathered pace.

The couple are staying at the Occidental Resort hotel with Edward’s mum, Susannah, until they fly home later this week.

One national newspaper said they checked into the luxury hotel, which costs £1,600 for an all-inclusive week-long stay, when they first arrived in the Caribbean but decided to switch to a budget backpackers’ retreat when they saw reports on the internet about police trying to track them down.

Lancashire Police had been working with officials on the island to track down the pair last week, searching beaches and hotels.

Stonyhurst headmaster, Andrew Johnson, has previously refused to be drawn on whether the pair would face expulsion on their return.

It has also emerged the couple rang a Clitheroe taxi firm shortly after 1.30am on Monday, January 13, to ask for a lift to Manchester Airport.

Adam McCally, main operator at Dial-a-Cab in Clitheroe, said: “We got a call from them at 1.30am but didn’t pick up the phone. I thought it very suspicious to get a call from the college at that time of night.

“We get a lot of calls from students and staff there but hardly ever at that time. I talked to the police the next day about the incident.”