A number of flights into Gatwick Airport have been diverted after reports of a drone flying close to the runway.

A spokesman for the airport said that a "handful" of planes were sent to other airports and several more had to circle during the alert.

EasyJet and British Airways confirmed they were affected by the disruption.

Several passengers also tweeted their displeasure at the delays.

A Gatwick Airport spokesman said operations had since returned to normal but there were delays as a knock-on.

They said the sighting was still unconfirmed.