THE partner of Hyndburn Council leader was due in court today facing charges of being drunk in charge of a child aged under seven.

Gabrielle Kroger, 46, was arrested by police at Manchester Airport yesterday after she was arrested when she allegedly passed through passport control drunk.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe drove to the airport to pick up his six-year-old daughter.

Mrs Kroger, a German national, was arrested at midday yesterday and missed her flight to Germany where she has relatives.

Mrs Kroger was due appear before Trafford magistrates, in Manchester, earlier today.

A spokesman for Manchester Airport police yesterday confirmed the incident.

He said: "Mrs Kroger was arrested after missing her flight to Germany.

"She was then taken to the police station and charged with being drunk while in charge of a child under seven years old.

"The girl's father, Peter Britcliffe, came to collect the child and take her back home.

"He arrived at around 2.45pm after Mrs Kroger had been charged."

Mrs Kroger, a part-time hairdresser well-known in Hyndburn, lives with Coun Britcliffe at his home in New Lane, Oswaldtwistle. It is believed she had been due to catch a British Midland flight to Germany where she is said to visit about six times a year.

Coun Britcliffe, who is also the Conservative Party candidate for the Hyndburn seat in the forthcoming General Election declined to comment on the incident yesterday.