A plane was forced to make an emergency landing today - to change a faulty light bulb.

The Saab 340 aircraft, which was travelling from Shetland to Aberdeen, was diverted to the nearest airport after the pilot reported a smell of burning.

A full emergency was declared and the airport fire service and local police, fire and ambulance services were on standby at Kirkwall Airport on Orkney to meet the plane.

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) said the Loganair operated plane landed at 2.54pm.

The 32 passengers on board were evacuated.

When airport firefighters went on board to investigate they found that one of the light bulbs in the aircraft had melted.

HIAL said that the bulb was replaced, and the plane left Kirkwall at 3.52pm to continue on its journey to Aberdeen with the passengers back on board.

The plane left Sumburgh Airport in Shetland at 2pm and had been due to arrive in Aberdeen at around 3pm.

Northern Constabulary said: "Police were made aware of a light aircraft that was having difficulties due to the presence of smoke in the cockpit at 14.45pm today.

"The aircraft returned to Kirkwall Airport and landed with all 32 passengers safely disembarked.

"There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances."