STRANDED holidaymaker Ian Lawless found that a trade warehouse card opened all the right doors when his official identity documents went missing in Prague.

Minutes before setting off for his return flight to Manchester, the 37-year-old accountant realised that both his passport and driving licence had disappeared.

Ian, who works at Legal Drive Hire in Haymarket Street, Bury, feared a lengthy wait and barrage of red tape to get back to Britain following his three-day stay in the Czech Republic.

Accompanied by partner Pamela Royle, Ian spoke to guards, expecting to be detained in the country for at least a day.

Due in work the following morning, he would have needed to find overnight accommodation, a new flight and go to the British Consulate.

But after a few questions, Czech officials said there were no problems in his immediate departure providing that the airline agreed.

When British Midland asked for photographic identification, all that Ian could produce was his card for the warehouse firm Costco.

He was allowed to fly after immigration chiefs in Manchester gave their approval over the phone.

Ian, who commutes to Bury from Warrington, said: "I was worried that I would have to stay overnight and that all of our plans would be sent topsy-turvy.

"Having to stay wouldn't have been the end of the world, but it would have meant a real lot of hassle and expense.

"When I got the card I certainly never expected it to help me out in this way."