A British Airways flight has taken off from a Paris airport after it was searched by armed police because of a "direct threat" to the plane. Flight number BA0303 was held on the tarmac at Charles de Gaulle and surrounded by police and fire vehicles at around 8am UK time this morning.

British Airways said: "The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority.

"Additional security checks are being carried out as a precaution.

"We would never operate a flight unless it is safe to do so."

At around 11.10am, a British Airways spokeswoman confirmed the flight had taken off. The airline did not state the nature of the alleged threat.

British traveller James Anderson, 20, tweeted a snap of the plane and security services.