Airport bosses have impounded a Phuket Air jumbo jet until the firm pays its landing fees.

The aircraft has been stuck at Gatwick for almost a month.

It was initially grounded by the Department for Transport, which wanted a fuel leak and a defect in the collision avoidance system fixed before it left.

The department has now banned Phuket Air from flying in Britain.

It has suspended its operating licences because of the number of safety problems on its aircraft. The Netherlands has followed suit.