A large bang heard around Stansted Airport was caused by a fighter jet escorting a plane into land causing a sonic boom.

There were numerous reports of a loud noise, which some said was like an explosion, in the area surrounding the airport in Essex.

A spokesman for Stansted Airport said that jets were scrambled to accompany the flight due to reports of a disruptive passenger.

The plane involved was a Jet2 flight which had been travelling to Dalaman in Turkey on Saturday when it had to be re-directed back to Stansted, according to spokeswoman for the airline.

Essex Police had multiple reports regarding the sound in the area.

A statement from Bishop's Stortford Police on Twitter said: "Large number of 999 calls coming in about a loud explosion.

"We have liaised with Essex Police who are confirming that this is a sonic boom from a passing aircraft."

A full statement from Essex Police said: We were made aware of a disruptive passenger on an inbound flight to Stansted this evening, Saturday, 22 June.

"There is a possibility that residents nearby may have heard a loud noise, often associated with a sonic boom, as the aircraft descended into Stansted airspace.

"Officers attended and arrested a 25-year-old woman on suspicion of two assaults and endangering an aircraft.

"She remains in custody."

The Standard contacted the Ministry of Defence for further details.

A sonic boom is a noise created when something travels faster than the speed of sound.

One man described the noise as a "huge bang" which "nearly blew my window out".