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

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

Police were called after staff at Newcastle Airport were unable to control the troops.

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

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

One passenger said: "It was absolutely disgusting. There were at least 120 young soldiers who were unsupervised and drinking heavily. Their flight was delayed and some were so drunk they were being sick into their glasses.

"Then they started hurling obscenities at airport staff. The workers did their best to control them but there was little they could do. It was shocking. We had our two young daughters with us and we had to cover their ears. The soldiers 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 3.20pm 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 yesterday to say which regiments the soldiers were from but confirmed military police had launched an investigation.

He said: "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: "Officers attended following allegations of drunk and disorderly behaviour and were there until military police arrived."

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