An Easyjet flight was forced to return to Gatwick this afternoon after pilots smelled fumes in the cockpit just after take-off.

The plane left the airport at 1.21pm on Thursday (September 7) and was in the air for just 54 minutes before landing back at Gatwick at 2.15pm.

Fire crews met the plane as it landed back in the UK and all passengers were taken back to terminal to wait for the next available flight to Barcelona.

A spokesman for EasyJet apologised for the incident and told The Sun: "We can confirm that flight EZY8059 from London Gatwick to Barcelona today returned to Gatwick as a precaution due to a fume smell in the cockpit.

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"The aircraft landed safely and was met by the fire service in line with routine procedures.

"The safety and welfare of our passengers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority.

"Passengers have been disembarked as normal to the terminal and we are currently making plans for their onward travel.”