The Ryanair plane was due to leave for Oslo at 0700 BST

The men were trying to board a Ryanair flight to Oslo in Norway on Tuesday.

They were questioned by police over the allegations, but were later freed to continue their travels after one man received an official caution and the second received "suitable words of advice" regarding the incident.

A total of six men were stopped from boarding the plane as a result of the finds.

Folding knife

The first man stopped, who was a British national, was found to have a small knife in his hand luggage when it was put through the scanner.

He was prevented from boarding the Boeing 737-800 plane.

One minute you're about to take off, the next minute you've ground to a halt and are told it's all hush-hush security. Josephine Hazell passenger

A second man was then found to have a folding knife in his hand luggage.

Police have not said where the man was from, but confirm he was travelling in a group of five.

Another man who was trying to board at the same time was stopped from getting onto the plane.

The other three people in the group, who had already gone through the scanner, were then recalled and prevented from flying.

The Ryanair plane, which was due to leave Stansted at 0700 BST to fly to Torp Airport in Oslo, was delayed while their luggage was unloaded but eventually left at 0900 BST.

A passenger on the flight, Josephine Hazell, told BBC Look East she found the experience so unnerving she changed her travel plans.

Staff 'vigilance'

Ms Hazell, a former air hostess, said: "It was pretty traumatic, because nobody would tell us what was going on.

"One minute you're about to take off, the next minute you've ground to a halt and are told it's all hush-hush security."

Police said there was nothing to suggest that the two men found with knives knew each other.

In a statement the airline said: "Ryanair commends the prompt action and vigilance of the security staff at Stansted Airport.

"We apologise sincerely to our passengers for the delay, but safety and security of our passengers and crew is our number one priority."

The finds come amid heightened security fears as the second anniversary of the 11 September terrorist atrocities approaches.