Drunken squaddies face being carpeted after going on the rampage at an international airport.

Horrified holidaymakers looked on in disgust as the soldiers hurled abuse at staff and vomited into their drinks.

Police were called in after airport workers were unable to control the mob at Newcastle Airport.

But as the gang became even more out of control military police from Catterick barracks in North Yorkshire were drafted in.

Army top brass have now launched an investigation into the incident on Sunday afternoon and refused to rule out charges and disciplinary action.

One outraged passenger said: "It was absolutely disgusting. There was at least 120 young soldiers who were unsupervised and drinking heavily.

"Their flight appeared to be delayed and they were drunk, some were so bad they were being sick into their glasses.

"Then they got abusive and started hurling obscenities at the staff, the workers did their best to control them but there was nothing they could do.

"It was shocking, we had our two young daughters with us and we had to cover their ears. They were a disgrace to this country."

The 120 North East soldiers had been home for Christmas and New Year breaks and were returning to various regiments in Germany.

They were due to fly to Hanover at 3.20 pm on a military VC10 but it was delayed for two hours by bad weather.

The flight had to be cancelled and the troops spent the night in a hotel, eventually flying out the next day.

An Army spokesman refused to say which regiments the soldiers were from but comfirmed military police had launched a probe.

He said: "Military police are investigating the allegations of drunk and disorderly behaviour at the airport by North East soldiers returning to German bases.

"No arrests were made and no one has been charged but disciplinary action could follow pending the outcome of the investigation."

A Northumbria police spokeswoman said: "Police attended following allegations of drunk and disorderly behaviour and were there until military police arrived."

An airport spokeswoman said 25 of the 120 soldiers were causing trouble.