An American tourist became so drunk at Oktoberfest in Munich that police took away his baby, who was strapped to his chest, it has been claimed.

The 28-year-old Texan is said to have slumped slowly to one side as a fellow tourist watched.

The observer called police who took the man’s one-year-old baby, The Local reported.

The American vomited a number of times and was taken to hospital, the site said, after police could not get him to respond to their questions.

His infant was later taken into the care of child welfare authorities.

Oktoberfest runs from mid-September until the first weekend in October in Munich and attracts millions of visitors to sample traditional Bavarian beer and food.

Last year’s festival saw the lowest number – 5.6 million – since 2001. Security was beefed up amid fear of terror attacks throughout Europe.