A bird striking a Ryanair passenger jet full of holidaymakers forced an emergency landing at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

People living close to the airport had reported an "unhealthy" sounding aircraft overhead around 8.30am today.

Ryanair flight FR2131, which took off from Manchester Airport and was bound for Lanzarote, was forced to turn back after being hit by a bird.

READ MORE: People in Merseyside area warned as 'gang' hit homes as children sleep

Flightpath data shows the holiday jet was forced to turn around as it flew over Wrexham and make an emergency landing at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Both Ryanair and Liverpool John Lennon Airport said the aircraft landed safely.

The passengers were then reportedly transferred to a replacement aircraft after a delay of around an hour.

A spokesperson for Ryanair said: "“This flight from Manchester to Lanzarote (13th Oct) diverted to Liverpool airport following a minor bird strike.

"The aircraft landed normally, and customers were transferred to a replacement aircraft which departed to Lanzarote following a short delay of approximately one hour.

"Ryanair sincerely apologised to all affected customers."

A Liverpool John Lennon Airport confirmed the Ryanair flight's unscheduled landing.

A spokesperson for the airport said: "A Ryanair flight that took off from Manchester Airport bound for Arrecife (Lanzarote) requested to land here at Liverpool John Lennon Airport at 08:45 this morning landing safely and without incident at 08:53.

Keep up to date with traffic and travel by entering your postcode here

"Passengers have subsequently been transferred to another Ryanair aircraft to continue their journey to Lanzarote."

We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.

For the latest news and breaking news visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/news

Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter @LivECHONews - the official Liverpool ECHO Twitter account - real news in real time.

We're also on Facebook/theliverpoolecho - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.

Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here