THREE police officers have been praised for restraining a drunken passenger who became aggressive during a flight to New Zealand.

PC Alan Clark from Lancashire Police, along with DC Mick Kent and PC Shane Aitken from the Durham and Metropolitan forces, were called into action as they travelled to Christchurch with the British Police Rugby League tour squad.

The man, a New Zealander, had been drinking heavily and demanding that a woman move places to accommodate him.

When she refused the man became aggressive towards her and started to move around the front of the aircraft being abusive to staff and other passengers.

The man was physically restrained by the police officers for several minutes between the bulkheads in the toilet area.

On arrival in Christchurch, the man was handed over to the New Zealand Authorities.