HOLIDAY-makers from the Forest of Dean were among scores of passengers who lived through moments of terror as their jet "blew up" shortly before take-off in Cyprus.

The Airbus 324 was about to lift off from Paphos airport for its journey to Cardiff when the incident happened on Sunday evening. No-one was hurt.

Richard Meek, of Ruardean, travelling with his wife Marlene, and friends Roger and Madge Kempster, also of Ruardean, spoke of the fear which gripped passengers as the plane, building up speed for take-off, suddenly shuddered and screeched to a halt.

"There was a loud bang and a flash of fire at least 25ft long from the port engine. People thought the plane was about to blow up and were naturally terrified. It was a very frightening moment coming so soon after the Concorde tragedy," said Mr Meek.

"A few more yards and we would have been in the air. My first thought was that a tyre had burst. I think the pilot did brilliantly to bring the plane to a halt," he said.

Mr Meek said rumours were rife that the incident had been caused by a section of cowling falling into the engine. Officially all they had been told was that there had been a technical fault and there would be a delay until repairs were carried out.

Speaking to the Review from a four star hotel on the holiday island, Mr Meek said there was a feeling of unease and unrest among many of the passengers.

"Some of them do not want to fly home on the same plane. There is quite a nasty atmosphere here and some ill-feeling. They want the plane examined by British engineers before take-off," he said.

•The holiday flight – on a different plane – eventually landed safely in Cardiff on Monday night.