A BOURNEMOUTH man was arrested on a plane waiting to depart for the Algarve.

The man - who was with a very young child - was called forward on the 5.10pm flight to Faro from Bournemouth before he was arrested and taken down the steps of the Boeing 737 in handcuffs.

It's believed he left his family behind on the plane and they continued on the journey.

The arrested man is believed to have been travelling with his partner, their baby and the partner's father.

Dorset Police swooped at around 4.30pm on Monday, after receiving a call from Devon and Cornwall Police.

A warrant had been issued by Torquay Magistrates for the man's arrest following an earlier hearing on September 8.

He is due to appear before magistrates for a first appearance this week, and faces 17 counts in total relating to numerous fraud offences.

They include dishonestly failing to disclose information, making an invitation to purchase products, and claiming to be a member of a business.

He is accused of fraudulently offering services as a carpet cleaner, among the charges.

One of the plane's passengers, who asked not to be named, said: "The 17.10 flight to Faro from Bournemouth was delayed as a man was asked to come forward, taken down the steps and then handcuffed in full view of everyone on the plane, and marched away.

"He left his partner, baby and partner's father to fly on to Faro without him."

A spokeswoman for Ryanair said: "Police removed and detained a passenger ahead of this flight from Bournemouth to Faro shortly before take-off. The aircraft departed as normal. This is now a matter for local police.”