A SEVEN-year-old boy has been left traumatised after being stopped as a possible terror suspect three times by airport staff.

Javaid Iqbal's family even missed their flight home from America because of the confusion, caused because his name matched that of a terror suspect.

The case has shocked a Muslim community leader, who said stopping a young boy was ridiculous.

And a anti-terrosim expert said security services should strike the right balance in counter terrorism measures without upsetting people unnecessarily.

Javaid, of The Pastures, Blackburn, said: "I'm only at a young age and being named a terrorist is wrong."

Javaid went to Florida for a holiday as a treat after passing his exams at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Blackburn.

And he was accompanied by his mum NaushabaNadeem, 35, and her three other children Sana, nine, Fareeha, nine, and Iftikhar, five .

But they were held up for three hours at Manchester Airport, one and half hours at Orlando International Airport and a further two hours Philadelphia International Airport on the way home, which resulted in them missing their flight.

His name was blocked and raised a security alert on each airport's computer system, set up by Homeland Security, a US security organisation set up to protect against terrorism.

Naushaba(correct), a GP at Great Harwood Medical Centre, Water Street, said: "When we arrived at the front counter to check in at Manchester Airport, the airport staff said there was a security block on Javaid's name.

"I understand and agree security checks are important but he is seven and a half years old.

"We had to stand at the desk for three hours while they checked everything out.

"Eventually, everything was fine and we were given our boarding passes.

"But then it happened again at Orlando Airport and then Javaid's name was blocked again at Philadelphia Airport.

"This time they had cancelled our tickets by the time they gave Javaid security clearance.

"I was all on my own, I don't know anyone in Philadelphia.

"I was tired and weary, and I started crying.

"We have never had a problem before.

"We flew to Tenerife for a holiday in December last year and we had no problems.

"When we got home me and my husband talked about changing Javaid's name so he wouldn't have problems in the future.

"The system should cross reference the name then a date of birth, or some other information."

Javaid, whose passport now contains a stricker saying he has undergone high-level security checks, said: "All this was about my name, they said that it had a block on it.

"We felt scared. I havent done anything against the law."

The family moved to Blackburn from Saudi Arabia in 2002. They flew by american airline, US Airways, from Manchester Airport to Florida via Philadelphia for eight days.

Javaid's dad, Nadeem Iqbal, 48, a consultant anaesthetist based in Burnley General Hospital, said: "My son is psychologically traumatised by this experience and said he doesn't want to fly to America again."

Salim Mulla, secretary of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, said: "It is ridiculous, I'm shocked.

"They really should have known he was only a seven year-old child.

"I can understand the safety aspect but it doesn't help relationships with different faiths.

"Somethings we do feel we are being singled out. I do understand the reasons but this was over the top."

Professor Eric Grove, director of the Centre for International Security and War Studies at Salford University, said: "There are names on file which are checked and there are certain names in combination or singly which put people under scrutiny.

"Intelligence based analysis has been used to compile the list but it is unlikely a seven-year-old child is a suicide bomber.

"I think there must be a right balance to counter terrorism without alienating people."

Manchester Airport declined to commentand Homeland Security were unavailable.