HE IS the man who spearheaded London’s bid for the 2012 Olympics, himself a two-time Olympic gold medallist. But despite being one of the most famous faces in Britain, Lord Seb Coe found out the hard way how strict airline security is.

Being an Olympic hero didn’t wash with Servisair check-in staff at Gatwick who demanded proof that Lord Coe was the man he claimed to be.

But after a series of frantic phone calls to Guernsey, assurances were given that the peer was expected in the island and staff bent the rules to allow possibly the most powerful man in British sport to make the journey.

‘Thankfully our friends at Servisair had the good sense to be flexible and accommodating,’ said Aurigny managing director Malcolm Hart.

‘As soon as his identity was confirmed, Lord Coe was able to fly with us. It was great for Guernsey having such a high profile visitor.’

Lord Coe arrived in the island to speak at the Awards for Achievement evening and fellow passengers on the Aurigny flight were amazed by the sequence of events.

One, who was standing directly behind the peer, said: ‘Lord Coe was very good about it all, actually. He was very calm. He had assumed that there was no need for photo ID because it was within the UK.

‘Staff put an emergency call through to Guernsey who obviously said he was expected and asked for him to be let on.

‘It was quite funny really. Here you have one of the best known people in Britain having to wait for someone to confirm that he was Seb Coe.’

The Garenne Group, which sponsored Lord Coe’s visit, admitted it would have ruined the night if he had not been allowed to board.

Debra Thompson, Garenne Group marketing manager, said: ‘We originally thought that he might not make it because of the snow.

‘It was only after he arrived that we heard about the photo ID problem. Lord Coe’s presence certainly made the night and we were very glad that Aurigny allowed him onto the flight.’