A FAMILY grounded by a sporting accident are furious after their airline refused to rearrange their flights – because they had already checked in online.

The Robson family were due to fly to the Greek island of Rhodes for a week’s holiday today, but they are stuck at home – and nearly £900 out of pocket – after 13-year-old Jake broke his leg in two places playing football last Friday.

Adding insult to injury, Jet2.com have refused to swap their flights for later in the year because they checked in online early – to get seats together for the sake of daughter Molli, ten, who has severe learning difficulties.

Mother Dawn Robson, 47, said: “I’m really angry. Checking in online is doing them a favour. They push and push it.

All we want to do is change our flights for a later date. It’s not like it’s willy nilly. It’s unforeseen circumstances. I can’t understand it.”

The Robsons, of Farnham Road, in Newton Hall, Durham City, who also include father Nigel, 46, booked their annual trip to Rhodes in March.

They were due to fly from Newcastle at 9.40am today.

Their return flights cost £871.65.

Newcastle United fan Jake, a defender, was injured in a tackle while having a kickabout with friends.

He said: “I was going to shoot so all my weight was on my right leg. Then a boy lunged in from behind.”

Jake left hospital on Tuesday, but will be in bandage for two weeks then plaster for up to another six weeks.

The Framwellgate School Durham pupil can only walk with crutches and has to sleep downstairs.

Mrs Robson, a business lecturer at New College Durham, contacted Jet2.com on Sunday.

A Jet2.com spokeswoman said the airline was sorry to hear about the accident and wished Jake a speedy recovery, but once an online boarding pass was issued, the firm was unable to change a booking because it impacted on security and could affect all customers on the flight.

A British Air Transport Association spokesman recommended passengers always take out insurance.

Mrs Robson said she had planned to do this but had not got round to it before Jake’s accident.