Three Knutsford Guardian reporters escaped arrest as they investigated a bomb alert at Manchester Airport.

Police twice threatened reporters Andrew Moores, Dianne Bourne and Michelle Gillies with arrest if they crossed police roadblocks.

The reporters were trying to speak to residents living close to the end of runway two, where the suspect plane was parked.

Police had blocked the road and told the reporters they could not go any further because of the danger should the bomb go off.

Michelle said: “We wanted to know if this would be the procedure every time because even though the end of runway two is the best place there are still houses nearby.

“We wanted to know what those residents thought about the situation.”

Unwilling to give up on the story the trio tried to take back roads to get closer to the runway and the nearest residents – but were followed by a fleet of unmarked cars.

Michelle said: “The cars weren’t marked so we thought maybe they were other members of the press, we only realised it was the police when we had to pull up at another road block and they approached our car.”

Once again they were told they would face arrest should they try to cross the blockade so instead the reporters got their information from the police press officer who was on hand.

The plane was checked over for a bomb but took off later that day for New York when none were found.

Do you have a story for us?
Ring the HoldTheFrontPage newsdesk on
01332 291111 x6022, or to e-mail us now – click here