JD Wetherspoon pubs has been ripping off holiday-makers at Gatwick by massively marking up prices at its airport branch.

In fact, some dishes cost double at airport branches compared with Wetherspoon's high street pubs.

An investigation carried out by the Daily Mirror compared prices at London Gatwick and Stanstead airports to the high street branches of Pret, Nandos and Wetherspoon - and the pub chain was the only one to increase its prices for flyers.

At the Red Lion pub at Gatwick's north terminal, a cup of filter coffee will set you back £2.35, but costs just £1.35 on the high street - a mark-up of nearly 50%.

Traditional breakfasts were also subject to huge mark-ups, with the English favourite costing £8.30 at Gatwick, but £4.95 on the high street, an increase of 67%.

At Stanstead, it was the children's breakfast that received the biggest mark-up. On the high street, the children's breakfast of a sausage, rasher of bacon, egg, baked beans and potato rosti costs just £2.95.

But at Stanstead's The Windmill pub, it will set you back £6.05 - more than twice the price.

TV consumer expert Sue Hayward said: "High street pubs charging inflated prices at the airport is just the latest rip off to hit travellers.

"You pop in thinking it's a brand you know but are rewarded for your loyalty with a bigger bill."

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "There is a mark-up between our high street pubs, mainly as a result of the difference between rent and rates.

"Airports are at the top end of the scale in respect of these costs."

How to avoid the mark-up at the airport

  • Book a pass for the airport lounge. Costs from £13.50 with www.loungepass.com but usually means unlimited food and drink including alcohol. Can save you money compared with a meal in a pricey airport restaurant.
  • Bottled water is always expensive so save by asking for a jug of tap water with meals or filling up an empty bottle after security.
  • Flying with a budget airline? Stock up on snacks once you're through security. Even with any airport mark-up you'll still be "quids in" compared with the price in the skies. Or make your own sandwiches