DEFIANT BRITS BACK ON THE BEACHES

PLUCKY holidaymakers defied the terrorists by returning to the beaches and bars around Cambrils.

Within hours of the attack that rocked the chic Costa Dorada resort, British tourists had flooded back to the waterfront, inset right.

One woman died after jihadis drove an Audi into pedestrians in the resort early on Friday.

Five men in the car were shot dead by police.

But it was soon business as usual for the resort’s North African beach vendors, who chatted with sunbathers.

They continued doing a brisk trade, selling trinkets, trainers and sunglasses from bags slung on their backs.

And in the sparkling waters of the Med, swimmers weaved between inflatables and pedalos.

Brits abroad kept calm and carried on, sending a clear message: “The terrorists have failed.”

Holidaymaker Dylan Jones, 48, from London, said: “If we stayed locked in our rooms, they would’ve won.

“There was no way we were going to do that. What has happened is evil but normal life has to go on.”

One British travel rep, who asked not to be named, added: “We checked all our guests.

“Thank God none were caught up in it.

“This is an awful tragedy. Everyone in the area is united. We are all being vigilant.

“But there is a strong feeling that people don’t want to give in to terror.”

The air of defiance was clear even as loud bangs rang out from controlled explosions yesterday.

Police warned tourists that bomb disposal experts would be working alongside forensic teams at the terrorists’ base in Alcanar.

A 12-man Isis cell is suspected of plotting the Barcelona and Cambrils attacks from the property, which they had turned into a bomb factory.