Jo and Paul Heath from Rectory Lane, Milton Malsor, had booked a flight from Luton airport to Brest in France through Ryanair.

Mrs Heath, who has multiple sclerosis, had pre-warned the airline she would need help boarding.

But the usual 'ambulift' device did not arrive, leaving 53-year-old Mr Heath with the option of either taking matters into his own hands or waiting three days for the next flight.

Mrs Heath said: "Ryanair staff said they couldn't help lift me for health and safety reasons. We asked what would happen if nothing was sorted out and they said 'we'd leave without you'".

Mr Heath decided the holiday was too important to miss and hoisted his wife over his shoulder in a fireman's lift before struggling up the steps and on to the plane.

Mrs Heath said: "I was scared and very, very embarrassed by it and you could see other passengers were starting to get a bit ratty.

"I had done everything I needed to for Ryanair to get me on the plane. They failed in their duty of care for a customer."

Daniel de Carvalho, a spokesman for Ryanair, blamed its handling agent at Luton airport – Servisair – for the problem.

He said: "The provider at Luton airport did not have sufficient staff available to provide assistance."

In a letter to the couple, Servisair has expressed its "sincere apologies" for their inconvenience.