A PIPER booked to perform at a ceremony to mark the arrival of a Scottish airline at Durham Tees Valley Airport was denied access as he didn't have any identification.

While yesterday’s ceremony saw airport and Loganair dignitaries joined by members of the written and broadcast media, spare a thought for bagpiper Derek Millmoor.

Mr Millmoor, from Billy Row, Crook, County Durham, was booked to come along and herald the Scottish airline’s arrival in the region.

However, after getting to the airport, he was left to play outside.

Without any identification, he was unable to follow everyone else through security to the departure lounge.

Instead, he played for photographers and reporters at the airport entrance as they left.

A leaflet advertising his services describes Mr Millmoor as a solo highland piper.

Yesterday he was just that, though not in the way he had intended.