An aircraft that declared an emergency following a "bomb threat" was seen circling over Suffolk.

The AI129 Air India flight from Mumbai to London Heathrow issued the alert while flying over Norfolk.

The aircraft circled over Suffolk before making its way to London Heathrow.

RAF Eurofighter Typhoon jets from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire were scrambled in response to the emergency, letting out a sonic boom.

A spokesman for the Royal Air Force said: "We can confirm that RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighter aircraft from RAF Coningsby were launched this afternoon, to investigate a civilian aircraft.

“Following an uneventful interception the aircraft was released to continue to its original destination under the direction of civilian air traffic control.

The flight path of the Air India plane over Norfolk (Image: Flight Radar) "This incident is now being handled under the control of civilian authorities.

“The sonic boom heard across parts of England at lunchtime today was caused by the RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft who were launched from Quick Reaction Alert, the aircraft were authorised to transit at supersonic speed for operational reasons.”

Norfolk Constabulary issued a statement on Facebook confirming that the loud noise that was heard by people in places across Norfolk was a sonic boom caused by RAF aircraft and not an explosion.

The flight eventually landed safely at Heathrow Airport this afternoon.

Air India has been approached for comment.