Ryanair is threatening to ground its planes after the UK withdraws from the European Union to persuade voters to "rethink" Brexit.

The Dublin-based carrier's chief executive Michael O'Leary said he wants to "create an opportunity" by making people realise they are "no longer going to have cheap holidays".

He told an audience of airline leaders in Brussels: "I think it's in our interests - not for a long period of time - that the aircraft are grounded.

"It's only when you get to that stage where you're going to persuade the average British voter that you were lied to in the entire Brexit debate.

"You were promised you could leave the EU and everything would stay the same. The reality is you can leave the EU, yes that's your choice, but everything will fundamentally change."