A WOMAN who threw her prosthetic leg at cabin crew on board an Edinburgh-bound plane has been released by police pending further enquiries.

The unemployed 48-year-old, from Edinburgh, will hear in the next few weeks whether or not she will face charges following further police investigations.

Trouble kicked off on the Tunisia to Edinburgh flight after the woman allegedly shouted for cigarettes and a parachute.

Sussex Police said she began "swearing blue murder" and threw food at staff on board the Thomson airlines flight, before launching her leg towards them.

The captain became so alarmed by her behaviour he diverted the plane and the woman was arrested by officers at Gatwick on Tuesday night.

She was taken to Crawley police station and questioned on suspicion of using threatening behaviour.

The woman, who has not been named, will now receive a "summons" letter in the next few weeks either setting down a court date to appear or telling her that no further action is being taken.

Following the incident, passengers told of their anger at what had happened.

Father-of-two John Smith, 48, from Falkirk, said: "It sounds funny but it was not a laughing matter at the time. It was serious.

"A lot of people were upset about it, especially those with children."

Another passenger tweeted about the incident, saying: "Can't believe we're stuck in London because some crazy drunk woman with one leg started a fight."

The flight eventually landed in Edinburgh at 2.30am - three hours behind schedule.

A spokesman for Thomson Airways apologised to passengers for the decision to divert, but added it was a last resort due to the passenger's alleged behaviour.

He said: "We would like to reassure customers that their safety is our priority."