An RAF training flight was diverted away from Prestwick today due to a drone flying in the area.

The incident happened around 10.30am this morning when the RAF A400M Atlas pulled out of a scheduled landing at Prestwick Airport.

The plane, which had set off from RAF Brize Norton, was in the area for a training flight. It can hold as many as 116 fully-equipped troops and can fit a Chinook helicopter inside.

Police were despatched to Prestwick Beach to find the drone pilot, but said when they found him he was not committing any offences.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report relating to concerns about a drone seen in the area of Prestwick beach around 10.40am on Monday, August 2.

“Officers attended and traced the pilot. It was established he had the appropriate authorisation to operate a drone in the area and no offences were being committed.”

Though the plane had to abort its landing at the airport it did continue on the rest of its training mission to other locations in the UK. 

The RAF use civilian airports all over the country for training as they provide unusual and differing airspace and approach challenges, as demonstrated today, for crews to train in.

Commenting on today's incident at Prestwick an RAF spokesperson said: "An RAF A400M Atlas from RAF Brize Norton was completing routine training at Prestwick airfield today.

"One approach to the runway was not completed due to advice from Air Traffic Control who advised that a drone was operating nearby.

"Subsequently the Atlas departed the Prestwick area and continued to Edinburgh for additional pre planned training approaches."