Safety checks are being carried out on a carnival ride after part of a seat broke off and crashed to the ground.

The Star Flyer attraction, part of Edinburgh's Christmas festival, was closed today following last night's incident.

At around 9.30pm the under section of a seat came loose and dropped around 60ft to the ground in St Andrew's Square. No-one was injured.

Witness Laura Ritchie, 25, said: "We were standing about 20 feet away deciding where to go next when we just heard this almighty thud.

"There were people still in the seat that dismantled but the metal framework was still there with all the nuts and bolts showing.

"It landed right next to a couple of guys standing right underneath it. Security got people back fairly quickly but there were people right beside it when it landed."

A statement from Edinburgh's Christmas said: "At 9:30pm, a piece of plastic from the underside of one of the seat units of the Star Flyer fell off.

"This was not needed for the safety of the seat or the ride and at no point was the safety of our customers jeopardised.

"Detailed safety checks will be carried out and the Star Flyer will reopen once those checks have been satisfied."