An airline left luggage belonging to 200 passengers behind after a power cut.

Furious easyJet passengers are demanding compensation after their flight to Milan took off from Gatwick without any of their bags in the hold.

The airline decided to send the plane without the bags to avoid losing its take-off slot and delaying flights scheduled for later in the day using the same aircraft.

Passengers weren't told what had happened until they arrived in Milan. Airport staff gave them forms to fill in and the bags were shipped out the next day on another flight.

One passenger said he had to buy clothes in Milan and would be claiming the cost back.

He said: "How can an airline leave baggage from an entire flight in England? We shall be putting in a claim for compensation because this ruined the first two days of our holiday.

"I know easyJet are supposed to be a no-frills airline but you don't expect them to be a nobaggage airline as well."

An easyJet spokeswoman said: "We were unaware when power would be restored. To avoid disruption to passengers and onward flights from Milan the decision was made to take off as scheduled."

The power cut took place on April 23 affecting check-in, lifts, escalators and lighting. Electricity was restored in seconds and within an hour most facilities were working again.

The airport's owner and operator BAA is investigating the cause of the power cut and has apologised for delays to flights.