Mums have been airing their views over an airline's decision to launch child-free zones on flights.

IndiGo is banning under 12s from eight rows of seats in an attempt to create 'a quiet zone' for those passengers flying without children.

Kids will also be bar­­­red from rows containing emergency exits as well as those with extra legroom.

The Indian budget airline, which flies to 40 destinations, said: “Keeping in mind the comfort and convenience of all passengers, rows one to four and 11 to 14 are to be kept as a quiet zone.”

As the airline's decision prompts parents' fears that other carriers may do the same, we asked Manchester mums for their thoughts - and they didn't hold back.

While some said the zone would be 'pointless', as people elsewhere in the plane would still hear a noisy child, others said they might consider booking a 'quiet seat' for themselves if they were travelling without their children.

Mum Louise Fry said: "I don't see what difference it would make. If my little angel is screaming blue murder and sat on row nine, the quiet zone is still going to get to enjoy the full show. Not that I would take my children on a plane for many years to come."

Deanna Butlin agreed, saying: "Is the quite room in a sound proof box? How will it make any difference?

"You would still hear the children crying or playing wherever you're sat on a plane."

Rebecca Robinson described the airline's decision as 'ridiculous'.

She encountered abuse on a flight home from Greece with her daughter Sophia who was struggling with earache.

Rebecca, from Millbrook, said: "This is ridiculous banning children from a certain area. People are forgetting they were once children or if they have grown up their little darling would have been exactly the same as the little ones now.

"I had some tell me to sit the f*** down when Sophia threw her dummy and her ears were hurting and she was over tired. They said I was causing trouble for the whole plane.

"A few passengers were quite nice when I apologised and they told me 'don't worry', they have been in the same boat."

But other mums don't think there is any problem having a separate area, providing all seats are priced the same.

Julie Ponsonby said: "My husband has limited mobility so we are unable to sit on certain rows anyway.

"It doesn't bother me in the slightest. The only way it'd bother me is if rows nine plus are more expensive."

Alison Lilker said she would consider booking a seat in the quiet zone.

She said: "I think it's a great idea. When I was childless I hated being seated with screaming kids and would have paid extra to sit in a quiet zone.

"Now I have children I feel awful if there are disruptive children on a flight - for the parents and those around them - as I now understand there is little that can be done, especially if they are screaming because their ears hurt.

"Why not have separate areas and then everyone is happy."

IndiGo, the first major airline to restrict children, made their decision after smaller Asian airlines brought in similar changes.

Virgin and BA both ruled out banning kids from parts of their planes and claimed to be 'family friendly'.

BA added that it ensured parents with children boarded first and that youngsters were served first with in-flight meals.