Passengers on one of the Eurostar trains stranded in the Channel Tunnel claimed that the German supermodel Claudia Schiffer was given special treatment during the journey according to reports.

A car was reportedly sent to pick her up at the tunnel entrance at Folkestone and she was whisked away, leaving the rest of the passengers on the train. Some accused the bosses of giving her preferential treatment.

Richard Brown, the chief executive of Eurostar, was asked whether Miss Schiffer had been given special help to get home while people in wheelchairs and pregnant women were left to fend for themselves. He said: "She travels anonymously so I can't confirm it."

Eurostar has promised a "proper and full inquiry" into the debacle which left 2000 passengers, many with children, stuck for up to 18 hours on trains heading from Paris to London.

Travellers complained of a "horrendous" experience during their ordeal. Some were left with no food, water, lighting or air conditioning as temperatures soared. Passengers reported fellow travellers collapsing and having panic attacks.

Eurostar has today begun running regular trains through the tunnel again.