A plane carrying more than 60 passengers had to turn back to London City Airport after part of its wing became detached in mid-air.

Alarmed passengers said they heard a loud bang and alerted cabin crew when they realised a six-foot long section of the left wing was hanging loose from the plane.

The pilot was forced to abort the CityJet flight from London to Florence in mid-air, circling the Thames estuary before making an unscheduled landing at London City Airport.

Cole Moreton, a features writer at the Telegraph who was on board the flight, described what happened when passengers realised the wing was damaged. "The bang made people jump and was alarming then we sat there thinking this isn't right, surely?" he was quoted in the Telegraph.

"Does the pilot know? But we didn't appear to be crashing. So there was a tense few minutes while we circled and waited for an announcement. Relief to get back on the ground, seriousness sunk in when we saw emergency services scrambled and lights flashing."

A CityJet spokesman said: "The WX281 flight had just taken off from London City Airport on its way to Florence when the cover of the operating mechanism on the wing became partially detached.

"The crew followed their standard procedures and, after a discussion with CityJet maintenance control, decided to return to London City Airport.

"Air traffic control were notified and the aircraft returned making a normal approach and landing. Passengers were redirected on another aircraft and departed with a two-hour delay."

A spokesperson for London City Airport said: "CityJet flight WX281 returned to London City Airport due to a mechanical issue. The aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew disembarked normally."