Police have confirmed that a pilot was removed from a plane at Newquay airport after concerns were raised about him being over the legal alcohol limit.

Officers say a 48-year-old man from Crediton, Devon, was arrested on suspicion of being over the drink-drive limit and taken to Newquay police station. He was later released on police bail until December 8.

The plane was due to make the flight from Newquay Airport in Cornwall to London Gatwick on Wednesday morning. The flight was delayed for over five hours, leaving passengers in the lurch.

A police source told the BBC that officers were alerted after a fellow crew member became concerned.

The man was removed for a breath test.

Flybe said: "Flybe can confirm that one of its pilots volunteered to help the police with their inquiries at Newquay Airport.

"Flybe is not able to comment further while the police investigation is taking place."

The legal limit for pilots is considerably lower than that for drivers in the UK, 20 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, compared to the drink drive limit of 80 miligrammes per 100 mililitres.