A charity worker has been stopped from leaving Britain, because he does not have a passport.

Twenty-two tons of essential aid is being taken to Romania this weekend, but Rod Jones, the founder of Teesside-based Convoy Aid who organised the load, will not be travelling with it.

Mr Jones must stay in this country until a mix-up over passports is sorted out with the United Kingdom Passport Service.

The service has told the 55-year-old he must explain what happened to the passport which officials say was sent to him when he mislaid his old one about five years ago.

However, Mr Jones insists he never received the new passport. The passport he sent to the service two months ago has not been returned.

Mr Jones takes aid to orphanages in Romania six times a year and has been making the trips for 14 years.

The passport service has told him either to provide it with a written explanation as to what happened to the passport or to telephone for an interview.

A spokesman for service said: "There are standard procedures. These things have to be checked out. We are under an obligation to do so.

"He has been informed as to what he needs to do next."