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A pilot has admitted to being three times over the legal blood alcohol limit while flying.

Ian Jennings, 47, was arrested at Norwich Airport last month after piloting a charted passenger jet carrying 10 people from Spain.

Acting on a tip-off from a member of the public, police met the jet when it landed in Norfolk and performed a breathalyser test on the pilot before arresting him.

Flying under the influence: Ian Jennings admitted to being three times over the limit while flying passengers

Today at Norwich Magistrates' Court Jennings, from Gosport, Hampshire, admitted flying while the alcohol in his breath was over the prescribed limit.

The offence carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison.

Prosecutor Lesla Small said: 'The police had received information from a member of the public and attended Norwich Airport.

'The passengers were allowed to get off the aircraft and he was breathalysed. 

Arrested: The 47-year-old pilot was arrested after landing at Norwich airport by police acting on a tip-off

International flight: Jennings has flown 10 passengers from Spain to Norwich last month

'This offence is aggravated by the fact he had flown from Spain with passengers on board.'

Officers detected 31 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 militres of breath - the limit for pilots is 9 microgrammes while the limit for drivers is 35. 

Marcus Crosskell, mitigating for Jennings, said: 'He is a gentleman of unblemished character with a 20-year-plus career as a pilot.' 

Chartered jet: The plane Jennings piloted is believed to have been a Canadair CL601-3A Challenger

Magistrates said the case was so serious it would have to be sentenced by a crown court judge at a later date.

Jennings was released on bail on the condition he does not fly any aircraft. His licence has been suspended by the Civil Aviation Authority.

The plane is believed to have been a Canadair CL601-3A Challenger.