Security chiefs at Manchester Airport have been left red faced after an 11 year-old-boy was able to board a Jet2 plane alone, without a passport.

The child was only discovered on board the flight to Rome when other passengers became concerned for his welfare.

According to reports, the boy was able to pass through security and the north England airport by mingling with families in Terminal 1 yesterday afternoon.

A spokesman for Manchester Airport told the BBC: “It is clear that documentation has not been checked correctly at security and the boarding gate.

“The boy went through full security screening, so the safety of passengers and the aircraft was never compromised.”

A number of staff have been suspended following the incident, he added.

Transport secretary Justine Greening added: “I treat security breaches very, very seriously indeed, so we are now reviewing urgently with Manchester Airport, and indeed the airline, exactly what happened.”

It is believed the boy had earlier run away from home. He was carried back to Manchester on the return flight.