A BRITISH tourist on the way home from his holidays in the Alicante province has died of a heart attack in mid-air.

Emergency services reported yesterday that the holidaymaker, a 66-year-old man, became indisposed whilst on the Jet2.com flight from Alicante to Leeds-Bradford airport.

The flight had only taken off 20 minutes previously.

As a result, the pilot turned around and went back to Alicante airport to land the airline.

Paramedics and police, who had been called to the scene before the craft touched down, attempted to revive the passenger, who had slipped into unconsciousness.

But when they failed to do so, he was rushed to hospital.

The victim was pronounced dead on arrival shortly after 21.00hrs.