Confused onlookers watched on as a low-flying plane circled Maidstone for about an hour this afternoon.

The Boeing 737 was destined for the city of Antalya in Turkey – but ended up taking numerous tours above Kent's county town.

The plane then returned to Gatwick.

Onlookers in Maidstone and Ditton counted the Corendon Airlines jet taking at least half a dozen loops.

Flight tracking data shows the plane circled the town eight times before heading back to its starting point.

It is thought the aircraft hit a pigeon and underwent an emergency landing at Gatwick to check the engine - but all was deemed safe.