Two US pilots have been arrested at Glasgow Airport over claims they were about to fly a transatlantic passenger plane while drunk.

The United Airlines crew were stopped at a staff check-in area on Saturday as they arrived to join the scheduled 9am flight to New Jersey.

The pair, described as first officers with the US airline, are being held at Govan police station before making an appearance at Paisley Sheriff Court on Monday.

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: "We can confirm two men, aged 35 and 45, have been arrested and are presently detained in police custody in connection with alleged offences under the Railway and Transport Safety Act (2003) Section 93."

This section of the Act governs "carrying out pilot function or activity while exceeding the prescribed limit of alcohol."

The incident caused a lengthy delay to Flight UA162 to Newark, New Jersey.

While it was due to depart on schedule at 9am, the Boeing 757-200 aircraft did not take off with 141 passengers on board until 6.30pm.

A spokesman for United Airlines said: "The two pilots have been removed from service and their flying duties.

"We are co-operating with the authorities and will conduct our own investigation as well. The safety of our customers and our crew is our highest priority.

"Our team at Glasgow Airport have provided our customers with support, including meal vouchers and hotel accommodation, where required.

"We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience caused."

The drink-fly limit is 20 milligrames of alcohol per 100ml of blood, compared to the Scottish drink drive limit of 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood.

In relation to Saturday's incident, the two air crew are designated first officers, a rank which means they are co-pilots.

They were not due to captain the aircraft but their removal from the crew meant there were insufficient staff members on board.

The lengthy delay was due to the time taken to source and re-position replacement members of staff.

A spokesman for Glasgow Airport said: "We are aware of an incident whereby two crew members were arrested this morning."

The arrests come six weeks after a separate incident where two AirTransat pilots were removed from the same airport for allegedly being drunk as they prepared to make the seven-hour flight to Toronto in Canada.