THE partner of the leader of Hyndburn Council has been arrested after allegedly passing through an airport's passport control while drunk.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe went to Manchester Airport to pick up his six-year-old daughter after Gabrielle Kroger, 46, was charged with being drunk in charge of a child aged under seven.

Mrs Kroger, a German national, was arrested at midday yesterday. She missed her British Midland flight to Germany.

She was arrested by police and later charged with the offence, for which she will appear before Trafford Magistrates, Manchester, tomorrow morning.

She has been kept in custody.

A spokesman for Manchester Airport Police 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 lives at Coun Britcliffe's home in New Lane, Oswaldtwistle.

It is believed she had been due to catch a British Midland flight to Germany.

She visits the country six times a year to look after her sick relatives.

Mrs Kroger, who is also a part time hairdresser, is well known in Hyndburn.

Coun Britcliffe, who is also the Conservative Party candidate for the Hyndburn seat in the forthcoming General Election, today said: "I have no comment to make."