A Flybe flight from London to Edinburgh was forced to make an emergency landing at Manchester Airport after the captain reported a "suspected technical fault".

Flight BE2108, which had 48 passengers on board, took off from Heathrow at 6.37pm and was scheduled to land at 8pm.

But after the alarm was raised it was diverted to Manchester.

Flybe confirmed the passengers will be put on the next available flight.

A spokesman for the budget airline said: "Flybe can confirm that the captain took the necessary action following a suspected technical fault with the aircraft and elected to divert to Manchester Airport as a precautionary measure.

"The aircraft landed safely without further incident and, as is normal in such circumstances, was met by the airport's emergency vehicles.

"Once on stand, all 48 passengers disembarked as normal."

He added: "They will be re-accommodated on the next available flight operated by an alternate aircraft.

"The safety of its passengers and crew is the airline's number one priority and Flybe apologises for the inconvenience experienced."

Edinburgh Airport's live flight arrivals indicate the flight will now arrive at 11.20pm.