A PLANE was seen circling over Worcester and Malvern for three hours this afternoon according to eye witnesses.

The Worcester News understands a US Air Force B-52H Boeing aircraft from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota was diverted to RAF Fairford and was in a holding pattern over Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.

The aircraft with the call sign CAKE11 declared an emergency due to an engine failure and was circling at 14,000 feet over Cleeve, Churchdown, Ashchurch and Tewksebury Vale.

Freedar UK tweeted at 3pm: "Cake 11 declaring emergency, squawk 7700, over Hereford burning fuel, landing at RAF Fairfield.

"CAKE11 on seven engines burning fuel for up to 3 hours."

Residents report hearing the plane flying above them in Lowerwick, Warndon, Merrimans Hill and Malvern.

We understand the pilot has now landed safely.