A Virgin Atlantic flight from Heathrow to Tel Aviv was forced to turn around after take-off due to a “laser beam incident”.

Flight VS453 departed at 9:30pm yesterday and returned to Heathrow at 10:45pm after a laser beam was directed at the cockpit from the ground.

A spokesperson for the airline said: “On 15 March 2021 flight VS453, operating from London Heathrow to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport, returned to Heathrow after take-off due to a laser beam incident upon departure.

“The safety and security of our people and our customers is paramount and this was a precautionary step taken by the operating crew.

“We’d like to thank our customers for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“All customers were offered overnight accommodation and we are working hard to ensure they are able to continue their journeys as soon as possible.

“As is standard procedure for a laser incident, we swiftly notified the police and remain in close contact with them and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).”

The spokesperson could not confirm where the incident occurred, though a flight radar tracker appeared to show the aircraft turning back southwest of Paris.

She added: “I am afraid I am unable to offer that level of detail whilst our teams investigate this matter.”