A flight from Mildura to Melbourne had to be cancelled this morning after the plane hit a kangaroo during take-off.

The 6:30am Regional Express flight hit the animal as it left the runway, in north-west Victoria.

The airline said it was dark at the time and the kangaroo got caught in the propeller.

Alternative arrangements were made for the passengers bound for Melbourne.

Earlier, engineers inspected the plane and said it was "unserviceable".