A CANNABIS user who converted his lighter into a mini flame-thrower sparked a blaze and a major rescue operation on board a North Sea ferry.

Boden Hughes, 26, has been told to expect a lengthy jail sentence after admitting arson and being reckless as to whether life was endangered on a DFDS Newcastle to Amsterdam service carrying 946 passengers, plus crew.

A brief hearing at Newcastle Crown Court heard the fire broke out on the King Seaways ferry at around 11pm on December 28, when the vessel was 30 miles off the North Yorkshire coast.

Hughes, who also admitted affray, pleaded guilty to arson on the basis that he was drunk.

He was smoking cannabis in a bong in his cabin, and the fire started when his lighter's flame set a pile of clothes ablaze.

He had altered his lighter so it produced a constant flame, he claimed.

RAF helicopters from Leconfield near Hull and Boulmer, Northumberland, were scrambled to the vessel along with RNLI lifeboats from Bridlington and Filey.

Six people were winched off the ferry by the RAF and helicoptered to hospital.

After the terrifying experience of a fire and rescue operation miles out to sea, Hughes's fellow passengers faced the frustration of returning to Newcastle.

Passengers hugged family members in relief at the ferry terminal when they were finally allowed off, with some vowing never to sail again.

Julie Bell and Shaun Richardson, from Washington, Tyne and Wear, were on a weekend away.

At the time she said: "It was like a scene from a movie, a chaotic mess, horrible.

"It was terrifying and I won't be travelling by boat again. I think I will stay in the UK from now on, it's a lot safer."

Ian Lawrie QC, prosecuting, said the helicopter rescue alone cost £50,000 and it has previously been estimated £815,000 of damage to the ferry.

Mr Lawrie said a reconstruction of the fire showed that a blaze in a cabin using the same combustible clothing took just two minutes to engulf the space.

Hughes was guilty of "spectacular recklessness", he said.

He added: "He was clearly drunk, he was clearly also on drugs."

Judge James Goss, the Recorder of Newcastle, remanded Hughes, of Fulwell Road, Sunderland, in custody and warned him to expect a lengthy prison sentence in September.

Judge Goss said: "Be under no illusions as to the seriousness of the crimes you have admitted today."

As he was led away, Hughes, said: "Thank you, Your Honour."