hort.

Once Eyjafjallajökull erupted the centre ran computer models with forecast data and for Dr Matthew Hort, Head of Atmospheric Dispersion at the Met Office, it was the most intense period of his working life before and since.

Experts believe that if the 2010 volcanic ash event happened today there would be "nowhere near the same level, if any, disruption" according to both Dr Hort and Mr Nicholson, largely because we now know that the level of ash seen in UK airspace in 2010 was relatively low and safe to fly in.

But Dr Hort warns: "You can always have a bigger eruption."

Tamzin Hort, who has since left the Army, said female soldiers receive "unwanted attention" from men, and are branded with sexist slurs if they refuse advances.

Ms Hort told the court she recognised this inappropriate and predatory behaviour from her own experience in the Army.