A passenger plane has been forced to divert to a Scots airport after declaring a mid-air emergency.

The Loganair flight LM582, flying from Inverness to Birmingham this afternoon, signalled a Squawk 7700 emergency just after 1pm.

It has now been confirmed to The Herald that the emergency was sparked after a passenger fell ill.

The aircraft was forced to make a u-turn and land at Edinburgh, where it was met by emergency services.

A spokewoman for Loganair confirmed: “The aircraft was met by emergency services and the passenger was taken off the plane by a sedan chair.

“Safety as always is our number one priority, and we wish the passenger well.”

The plane will continue on to Biringham as soon as the crew and passengers are able to do so, the spokeswoman confirmed.