A passenger plane flying from Edinburgh to London declared a mid-air emergency after the captain smelled an "unusual smell" in the cockpit.

The FlyBe aircraft was diverted after the crew suspected a possible technical fault on Monday morning.

The flight carried 63 passengers and left Edinburgh Airport at 7.32am, due to arrive at London City Airport shortly before 9am.

Flight-tracking websites reported it diverted to Manchester Airport after broadcasting an emergency code.

The Dash 8 propeller aircraft landed safely at the airport shortly afterwards.

A spokeswoman for FlyBe said the flight was diverted as a precautionary measure.

She said: "Flybe can confirm that the captain of the above flight took the necessary action after detecting an unusual smell in the cockpit and suspecting a possible technical fault with the aircraft.

"The aircraft landed safely without further incident and, as is normal in such circumstances, was met by the airport's emergency vehicles.

"Once on stand, all 63 passengers disembarked as normal. They will be re-accommodated on the next available flight operated by an alternate aircraft.

"The safety of its passengers and crew is the airline's number one priority and Flybe apologises for the inconvenience experienced."