A flight captain called the police after furious passengers were left stuck on a grounded plane.

The Ryanair flight from Stansted to Porto had been due to take off at 8.30pm last Friday.

After the flight was delayed due to adverse weather conditions, passengers were finally called to board the plane shortly after midnight.

But after three hours on the tarmac, the captain called police to let passengers into the locked terminal.

Portuguese passenger Joao Pinheiro filmed officers boarding the plane at about 3.30am.

The flight eventually left Stansted at 8am - more than 11 hours late.

Ryanair apologised to customers for the delays.

A spokesman said: "After approximately two hours waiting for fuellers, the captain requested the handling company (Swissport) to allow the passengers into the terminal which was locked. 

"The captain switched on the aircraft’s air conditioning while waiting for Swissport staff to arrive and the cabin crew provided water to passengers. 

"When Swissport failed to arrive the captain requested the police to let the passengers into the locked terminal.

"The police subsequently arrived and allowed the passengers into the terminal.

"Passengers were then provided with refreshment vouchers on Ryanair’s instructions.

"The aircraft departed the following morning at 7.50am."