The runway at Birmingham International Airport is closed this morning after a cargo plane was forced to make an emergency landing, the authorities said.

The Boeing 737-300 aircraft was diverted to Birmingham en route from Liege, in Belgium, to Stansted Airport, due to technical problems.

Foam was sprayed on to the runway as a precaution and the aircraft landed safely shortly after 6am.

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The plane, which was carrying two crew members and no passengers, was diverted because of problems with its undercarriage, BIA said.

No one was injured in the incident.

Airport bosses said the runway remained closed but they were working hard to rectify the situation and advised passengers to check in as usual but expect delays.

A spokesman said some services to the airport had been diverted.

A BIA spokesman later said that a limited number of small aircraft and planes carrying less than a full load were being allowed to take-off.