An RAF jet was scrambled to help a passenger plane to land after the pilot lost contact with air traffic control.

The Scandinavian Air Services flight from Copenhagen to Birmingham lost communication as it passed over Scotland and was forced to land at Prestwick Airport, Ayrshire, yesterday morning.

A Typhoon jet from RAF Leuchars was dispatched to escort the passenger plane to its landing.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "A jet from RAF Leuchars was sent to assist the aircraft as it had lost communication with control.

"Incidents of this kind happen relatively regularly and it's one of the roles of RAF Leuchars to assist in them."

Police, ambulance and fire crews were waiting at the airport in case of any problems with the landing but they were stood down shortly after 10am.

The plane, with its 72 passengers, resumed its flight to Birmingham after the communications problem was fixed.

A spokesman for Prestwick Airport said: "The aircraft lost communications with air traffic control and followed procedure by making a safe landing as soon as possible.

"Emergency services were called to the runway as a precaution but there were no injuries."