Hundreds of air passengers suffered long delays after smoke from a coffee machine sparked an evacuation.

Officials at Gatwick Airport decided to clear the final departure lounge in the north terminal after a smoke alarm went off.

Flights were delayed as firefighters investigated the cause of the incident at 8.25am on Saturday.

It was eventually traced to a piece of equipment in a Costa Coffee shop which was giving off smoke.

Passengers were allowed back after 10am.

North terminal manager Debbie Harvey said: "It was a very prompt evacuation. People were taken out quickly. Our passenger and staff safety is paramount.

"There was some disruption but it was minimal. The airlines were able to catch up by the end of the day and they were back to normal by the evening."

She was unable to say how many passengers were affected.