London (AFP) - British police arrested two men on suspicion of making a bomb hoax that caused a flight to be evacuated at Manchester Airport on Thursday, according to police.

Officers were called to the easyJet flight bound for Marrakech in Morocco after reports that a passenger had claimed to have a bomb in his bag.

The plane was evacuated and the passengers re-screened before the flight departed several hours later.

"The aircraft was immediately evacuated and two men, aged 45 and 46, were arrested on suspicion of making a bomb hoax," a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said.

"No explosive devices have so far been found."

Manchester Airport said that passengers had been disembarked from the aircraft "as a precautionary measure".

EasyJet thanked passengers for their patience and said police had come aboard the flight EZY1893 at the request of the flight captain.

"We take very seriously any security related issue made to easyJet to ensure the continued safety and security of our passengers and crew," an easyJet spokesman said.