EMERGENCY services rushed to Southampton Airport this morning after a moving plane began leaking fuel.

Fire crews from Eastleigh and Redbridge were called to the airport shortly before 11.45am, to reports of 'smoke coming from the engine of a plane' – containing four people.

However, Flybe, whose plane was involved, said that the plane instead experienced a fuel-leak while it was preparing for take-off.

A spokesperson for the airline said: "Flybe can confirm that an empty aircraft re-positioning to Aberdeen following its earlier divert and arrival as normal in Southampton, experienced a small fuel leak on taxi-ing prior to take off.

"This left a trail on the taxi-way.

"The aircraft returned to stand and will be inspected by engineers.

"As a precautionary measure and prior to cleansing the affected area, the airport put its emergency vehicles on standby."

According to the spokesperson, the aircraft had been originally been scheduled to land at London City Airport, but was unable to due to fog.

It was instead diverted to Southampton.

A spokesperson for Southampton Airport confirmed that a Flybe plane was involved in the incident.

The spokesperson confirmed the airport mobilised its own emergency staff as well as calling Hampshire Fire and Rescue for assistance.

According to the spokesperson, it is "standard procedure" for local emergency services to attend these types of incidents.

The fire service confirmed it took no action on arrival at the airport.