CANADIAN Mounties arrested a drunken Bolton holidaymaker after he sprinted along an airport runway with his trousers round his ankles. Michael Shone, 41, was grabbed at Gander International Airport, Newfoundland, after he pushed past security guards, staggered on to the airstrip and pulled his pants down. The dad-of-four's dash came just minutes after the American Trans Air flight he was travelling on to Orlando, Florida, had landed to refuel.

As the plane prepared to touch down Mr Shone had refused to buckle his seat belt, forcing family members to restrain him.

But once inside the airport's international lounge he lunged past a baggage handler, onto the plane's parking area, pulling his pants down and lifting his shirt as airport personnel chased him.

It meant his Florida dream break with common-law wife Zoe and his children Maxine, 16, and Codie, five, ended with four days in a Mounties' jail and a flight home to Manchester. The family group, which included his in-laws, continued on their journey to soak up the sunshine for two weeks while US immigration officers forced Michael to go home.

And last night, Michael admitted he could not even remember his impromptu airport strip or refusal to fasten his seatbelt which came after he downed four vodkas and six small bottles of wine during the flight.

Speaking at his Turton Street home he said: "I didn't know I had dropped my pants until they told me in court. I had a little laugh about it but the judge didn't see the funny side.

"The only thing I can remember is being handcuffed and having pepper spray sprayed into my eyes. I was blitzed. The next thing I know was I woke up in a cell. I was really fed up.

"There were only six cells and there was a woman in one singing Country and Western songs all night. She was howling like a dog and I was shouting for her to shut up.

"I don't normally drink much. I don't go to the pub much because of my work shifts. I didn't realise what effect it was having on me but I've been told since alcohol can affect you quicker when you're in a plane."

On Monday the textile factory employee, who works in Adlington, was called before a provinicial court where he pleaded guilty to causing a disturbance and common assault.

He was sentenced to a total of seven days, with the time he had spent locked up being taken into consideration and his weekend jail stint counting double. He was also fined 100 Canadian dollars.

Constable Ken Chapman, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, confirmed Michael had been arrested.

He added: "Prior to the aircraft landing the stewardesses advised passengers to buckle up but this man refused to do so and had to be restrained by members of his family.

"Once he was inside the international lounge area Mr Shone pushed past security personnel on to the apron area where planes park.

"In one particular area he dropped his pants down to his ankles and pulled his T shirt up to his armpits. He then pulled his pants back up and his shirt back down before he was apprehended by airport personnel.

"Once he had sobered up he was a perfect gentleman. There was not a problem with him here in our cell block or at court. He appeared to be truly remorseful."

And Michael's attempts to fly on to Florida proved fruitless, with US immigration officers refusing him entry on flight from Gander to Orlando.

On Tuesday afternoon, he arrived back in Bolton, with his £460 holiday tickets but without his luggage and travellers' cheques which are still in Orlando.

Michael says he has learned from his mistake, having missed out on a fortnight's holiday that he says he worked seven days a week to pay for.

He added: "On the flight home I recognised one of the cabin crew who looked at me and said 'no alcohol'. I drank coffee all the way home."