A woman who told check-in staff she had a bomb in her bag was playing up for television cameras filming an airport docusoap, a court heard.

Lesley Brennan, 49, was spared prison after a judge watched the footage and accepted nobody could have taken her remarks seriously. They were made after two pints of strong lager.

Brennan was with a friend when they turned up late for their easyJet flight to Paris from Newcastle Airport, on January 23.

After failing to persuade easyJet official Richard Moore to let them board, she noticed she was being filmed for the ITV programme Airline, which features the low-cost carrier.

Robin Patton, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court yesterday: ''It became plain that once Mrs Brennan was aware the cameras were focusing on her, she rather played up to them.

''Only at this stage did she became somewhat disagreeable towards staff in the face of their intransigence.

''She was firstly offensive to them, secondly, saying, "Would it make any difference if I said I have a bomb in my bag, would it get me on the plane? She was advised it was more likely to get her arrested," he said.

He said she made her threat several times.

Mr Patton said: ''As a result of that behaviour, she was informed she would not be travelling that day or any other day and security staff became involved.''

He said the hoax was never taken as a serious threat.

He said: ''It was so obviously not believed because the bag was taken through the crowded airport and thrown in the back of a police car.''

Before her luggage was scanned by police, Brennan told them to be careful because it contained a bomb.

Mr Patton said: ''This is still Mrs Brennan being somewhat disagreeable because she thought this was humorous.

''These crass remarks were made in the wake of international events that caused anxiety and in the presence of other passengers.''

Paul Caulfield, defending, said the remarks were an act of unparalleled stupidity.

Brennan, of Wheatley Gardens, West Boldon, South Tyneside, admitted a public order offence of causing harassment, alarm or distress and was cleared of separate counts of communicating false information and affray.

Judge David Hodson sentenced her to a 12-month community rehabilitation order