A BA trans-Atlantic flight carrying 150 passengers was grounded after police were told members of the cabin crew were partying at a Manchester city centre hotel just hours before take-off.

Officers received an anonymous tip-off that eight crew members had been drinking at the Arora International hotel in Princess Street at 4.15am yesterday less than six hours before the Manchester-New York flight was due to take-off.

Police told British Airways about the allegation and airline officials went to the hotel to interview all the London-based stewards and stewardesses. No allegations were made against the Boeing 767's two pilots.

A BA spokeswoman said the airline cancelled flight BA1503, which was due to leave at 10am, because of a "crew shortage".

Holidaymakers due to board the jet were flown to London Heathrow on other aircraft and then made their journey to New York from there.

Passengers due to fly home to Manchester from New York on the same jet later also had to be put onto Heathrow-bound aircraft.

The grounded Boeing 767 was still at Manchester Airport yesterday afternoon.

Allegation

The BA spokesman said: "We are investigating an anonymous allegation made against a number of our cabin crew.

"British Airways takes allegations of this nature very seriously."

She added: "It would be inappropriate to comment further until we have completed our investigation.

"Due to a shortage of crew, the BA1503 Manchester to New York flight was cancelled and we have apologised for the disruption to the passengers who have been put on alternative flights over London."

The flight cancellation is expected to cost British Airways tens of thousands of pounds.

The crew members at the centre of the investigation were off-duty when the allegation was made but it is a criminal offence for cabin crew to report for duty drunk.

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Shortly after 4.15am, police received an anonymous call stating that cabin crew staying at a city centre hotel prior to an international flight were drunk.

"Officers contacted the airline to make them aware so they could carry out their own inquiries.

"No criminal offences were committed and there has been no further need for police involvement at this stage."

A spokesman for the Arora International said it could not comment on any matters to do with guests.

The alcohol limit for pilots and cabin crew before a flight is nine microgrammes in 100ml of breath.

Flight crews are advised by the Civil Aviation Authority not to drink for up to eight hours before a flight.

What do you think? Have your say.