A flight bound for Aberdeen from Norwich Airport was diverted back to the airport on Thursday morning after the captain reported an unusual odour in the cockpit.

Eastern Daily Press: The Easterns Airways flight was diverted back to Norwich Airport. Picture: FlightRadar24The Easterns Airways flight was diverted back to Norwich Airport. Picture: FlightRadar24 (Image: Archant)

The Eastern Airways flight, which had 11 passengers and three crew on board, was diverted back to Norwich Airport shortly after taking off at 6.45am.

The fire service was initially put on standby, but were stood down when the Saab 2000 aircraft landed safely at 7.26am.

A spokesperson for Eastern Airways said: 'The captain operating this morning's T3 722 flight from Norwich to Aberdeen made a precautionary return to Norwich to have the aircraft checked following an unusual odour in the cockpit.

'Our engineers will be carrying out an inspection of the aircraft.'

Passengers were transferred onto another aircraft to take them to Aberdeen.