Soldiers returning from Afghanistan were forced to change out of their uniforms on the tarmac after being refused entry to an airport building.

Up to 200 troops had to don their civilian clothes at Birmingham International Airport, after being told they could not go into the terminal in their combat gear.

The soldiers were travelling back to spend Christmas with their families when their charter flight to RAF Brize Norton, near Witney, was diverted to Birmingham because of bad weather.

On their arrival they were asked by the pilot to reclaim their baggage from the runway and change out of their kit.

Eager to get home quickly, most of the troops opted to change on the tarmac rather than get back on board the aeroplane.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said the ministry was aware of the incident but did not have any further details.

He said the order was likely to have been issued by the commanding officer for security reasons.

The spokesman added: "For security reasons, the MoD wishes to reduce the military profile on flights carried out on its behalf at civilian airports and there is a policy in place across the three services concerning the wearing of uniform."

A soldier said: "The temperature was Baltic on the runway but most of us just wanted to get home so we cracked on with getting changed in the open.

"We weren't told who gave the order."