Flight is diverted over drunk passenger

More than 200 holidaymakers returning to the UK from Mexico were forced to spend last night in Florida after a drunken passenger caused their flight to be diverted.

The man was restrained by passengers and cabin crew after starting an argument with another traveller and smashing a toilet on the aircraft. The Thomsonfly flight from Cancun to Manchester was diverted to Sanford airport in Orlando, where the man was arrested.

A spokesman for the travel company said the man had been drinking and became aggressive after arguing with the passenger who was sitting next to him. "He went to the toilet and started a bit of fuss and started to smash the toilet up," the spokesman said. "Three crew, with the help of some passengers, managed to control him and keep him down. The captain took the decision for the safety of all passengers to take the aircraft into Sanford airport."

Last night the FBI confirmed that the passenger had been charged with "interfering with a flight crew" and is due to appear in court today.

The remaining 232 passengers were put up in hotels in Orlando and are due to be flown to Birmingham this morning.