Santo Domingo.- Three men are in custody after an air rage incident on the Thomson Airways flight.

The trio were allegedly drunk, violent and abusive and the captain was so concerned about fighting on board that he had to divert and land in Bermuda.

British Police said that there had been "serious disruption on board" the Thomson flight. A 35-year-old man from Burnley, Lancashire, was arrested at Gatwick airport after being returned from Bermuda. He was arrested on suspicion of endangering an aircraft and is currently in custody at a local police station.

The two other men are still in custody in Bermuda and are due to be flown back to the UK in the next few days.

Police said the men would all be questioned about alleged homophobic public order offences, affray and smoking on board the plane.

Chief Inspector Ed Henriet of Gatwick police said: "We take matters such as these extremely seriously and we are very grateful to the crew and operator of this aircraft for their assistance with our investigation.

"The airlines, the police and the courts will not tolerate such behaviour and people who endanger aircraft in this manner can expect to receive custodial sentences."

The flight left Manchester at 12.15pm on New Year's Eve and was due to reach Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic at 5.35pm local time.

Instead, flight TOM133 had to land in Bermuda and the remaining passengers eventually made it to Punta Cana four hours late.

A Thomson spokeswoman said: "Upon landing in Bermuda, the three disruptive passengers were met by local airport officials and placed in their custody.

"The safety of all our customers and crew is our number one priority and Thomson Airways operates a zero tolerance policy in regards to abusive or drunken behaviour on our flights.

"Incidents of this type are extremely rare. However, the safety of our crew and customers is our first priority at all times and we do not tolerate disruptive or threatening behaviour on board our aircraft."