A Silsden man has started a nine-month jail sentence after trying to open the door on a holiday aircraft as it came in to land.

And an air stewardess is in line for a bravery award after preventing the drunken man opening the door.

She knew that if jobless Owen Tyson managed to move the door handle only slightly, it could spell disaster.

The door could burst from its hinges and trigger an inflatable slide, which could be dragged into the engine intake.

Emma Monkman, 25, from Sheffield, struggled with 45-year-old Tyson, who had drunk 15 pints of beer before boarding the Boeing 757 which was bound for Malta.

He was said to be with a large group of men, all wearing T-shirts with "Keighley" emblazoned across the front.

Tyson, a father of one, was jailed for being drunk and endangering the safety of an aircraft as it was landing at Malta, after a flight from Manchester.

Police and Emma's bosses, Thomas Cook Airlines, have recommended her for a heroism award.

Thomas Cook spokesman Shaun Robinson said: "Her swift action prevented a serious incident.

"She will be recommended for acting above and beyond the call of duty, and police have said they will be putting her up for one of their own awards."

As the plane came in to land, she saw Tyson leave his seat and grab the operating lever, which opened the door, but managed to pull his arm away.

There was a struggle and he fell back. He then pushed Emma aside and began making his way to the flight deck.

Eventually, he was forced to the rear of the plane where he was told to calm down by fellow passengers.

Tyson later told police he got drunk because he was a nervous flyer and had a panic attack.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said that Emma was being nominated for a bravery award, which would be decided later this year.