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A plane was forced to make an emergency landing on a South West beach today (May 5).

Photos show what appears to be a small propeller plane on the sand at Sidmouth, surrounded by bewildered beach-goers.

It was members of the National Police Air Service who took the picture from a police helicopter on the way back from a job in Somerset.

(Image: NPAS Exeter)

A spokesman for NPAS Exeter said: "While recovering from an incident in East Somerset we spotted a plane which had landed on the beach at Sidmouth after engine problems.

"It was a safe landing and all occupants were okay."

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