Child stowaway triggers major air security alert

A 12-YEAR-OLD boy sparked a row over airport security after boarding a plane without a ticket or passport.

The boy took a train to Gatwick Airport after running away from a privately-run care unit in Wirral, Merseyside.

He managed to pass through airport security checks — despite the ongoing terror alert — and board a 6am Monarch Airlines flight to Portugal on Monday.

Staff only realised the boy was a stowaway after he had sat down and was served a soft drink.

The plane had not taken off and he was escorted from it by police officers.