Airport blunders have potentially allowed thousands of passengers into Britain without passing through immigration checks, Home Office figures suggest.

Airlines and airports could now face fines of up to £50,000 if passengers are able to bypass border control as part of a proposed Government crackdown on the issue.

Ministers are currently consulting on a new civil penalty regime designed to stop travellers being “misdirected” when they arrive amid concerns it is undermining the integrity of the UK’s border.

The problem has been blamed on human errors like incorrect doors being opened at arrival gates or passengers being directed to the wrong place upon arrival.

Just under 1,000 passengers were not brought to immigration control in 2014 because of airport operator or carrier error.

That is likely to spark concerns about airport border security levels in previous and subsequent years.

The Government is hoping its plan to fine airports and airlines with lax controls will remedy the situation but the Airport Operators Association (AOA) said the proposal is "disproportionate".

A spokesman for the AOA emphasised that border security is a "top priority" for airports.