Spain-bound Ryanair flight from Glasgow declares a mid-air emergency and is diverted to land at Newcastle

Flight FR2522 was cruising at 11,950ft above Scotland when it sent a squawk 7700 signal at around 12pm. That code is the international alert for a general emergency. The jet had left Glasgow Airport at 10.50am bound for Alicante-Elche. It touched down safely at Newcastle International Airport just minutes later, at 12.07pm.

Holidaymakers had been due to land in the Spanish sunshine at 2.55pm local time.

The reason for the emergency remains a mystery.

Ryanair has been contacted for comment but has yet to explain the drama.