EMERGENCY services were scrambled to Southampton Airport last night when an incoming plane overshot the runway and ended up on the grass verge with 44 passengers and crew on board.

The Air France flight AF5869 from Paris Charles De Gaulle, was due to land at Southampton Airport at 9.40pm.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue, paramedics and the police were called at 9.35pm to reports of smoke coming from the wheels of the plane, believed to be operated by Brit Air, but were requested to stand down on arrival.

This morning a number of flights had to be cancelled.

Among the passengers on the flight was Portsmouth and former England defender Sol Campbell.

Last night, another passenger on the flight told of the drama.

Steve Miller, 63, from Havant, said:"It was all really calm. Nobody realised how serious it was until we saw how lucky we were."

More details in today's Daily Echo