A VETERINARY nurse "caused chaos" on board on a holiday flight to Turkey after necking vodka she had brought onto the plane, a court heard.

Flight crew aboard the Thomas Cook service to Antalya considered diverting the aircraft as Katherine Heyes was provoking so much trouble, Minshull Street Crown Court was told.

But the 29-year-old, who was with two friends, who had also been drinking, eventually calmed down and the plane was able to land safely.

Heyes was allowed to continue with her holiday but she quizzed by police when she returned to the UK later.

She was later charged with being drunk on an aircraft. Magistrates committed the mother-of-one, from Tyldesley, for crown court sentence.

Her counsel said her client was not a regular drinker and was "genuinely remorseful" for what she had done.

Passing sentence, Judge John Edwards told her: "You were every passenger's worst nightmare on July 15 last year."

Heyes was given a 12-month community order and told she must complete 80 hours community service. She will also pay £250 court costs.

Mr Hall, prosecuting, said Heyes and her friends first aroused suspicions when they went to the plane's toilet in pairs, each time carrying a large bag.

Cabin crew became increasingly aware that the party were drinking their own alcohol, which was not permitted, the court heard,

Heyes' speech became slurred and she became aggressive and abusive, said Mr Hall.

Fellow passengers became increasingly concerned with the trio and remonstrated with them, the court was told.

Mr Hall said the captain was informed and consideration was given to diverting the plane to another airport. But as the flight was only 40 minutes away from its destination, the craft proceeded as planned and the authorities in Turkey were informed.

One witness said her nine-year-old son was left so traumatised by the events on board the plane, as the atmosphere became increasingly heated, that it ruined his holiday.

Rachel Shenton, defending, said Heyes had not appreciated the heightened effects of drinking vodka on the plane and wished to apologise for her actions.

She told the court the defendant now faced potentially losing her employment, which she had worked very hard to secure.