A deaf and partially blind man has accused Ryanair of throwing him out of his allocated seat because of his disability – then allowing a severely drunk man in the same row.

Charles Turrell, 51, from Chippenham, said he felt discriminated against after a cabin crew member banned him from taking his reserved second row seat on the plane on his way back from holiday.

Ryanair’s policy, for safety reasons, is to seat passengers needing special assistance in designated seats to the rear of the cabin.

But Mr Turrell said he had reserved a special assistance seat well in advance, at an extra cost, so the company would have been aware of his condition at the time of booking.

Mr Turrell has Usher’s Syndrome, was born profoundly deaf and is gradually losing his sight. He said: “Their special assistance team called my guide several weeks before the flights and my disabilities were discussed.

“I had such a fantastic holiday in Croatia and then this just spoilt it.”

A spokesman for national deafblind charity Sense said: “It is vital that airlines ensure adequate arrangements are put in place for deafblind people and their communicator guides when they travel and that last-minute changes are kept to a minimum.”

Ryanair admitted it moved Mr Turrell “in error”. It refunded the £20 cost of his reserved seats after he made a formal complaint. But it refutes his claim that an intoxicated man was allowed to take a seat in the same row he was moved from.

Mr Turrell said: “Why was an awful drunk man, who smelt of alcohol, able to take a seat in that row but not a disabled person? I was really shocked and upset. Before we landed, the staff had to physically shake him on the shoulders to wake him up.”

Ryanair spokeswoman Michelle Lowe said: “There was no drunk passenger on board this flight as Ryanair does not permit drunk passengers on board its aircraft.”