Plane hit by lightning

Lightning struck a London-bound flight shortly after take-off, forcing it to return to Newark Liberty International Airport, the US airport’s operator said.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs Newark airport, said no injuries were reported on Continental Flight 114.

The flight was hit by lightning at 10.45pm on Saturday, shortly after it took off for Gatwick airport.

The port authority was not immediately sure how many passengers were on the flight.

The National Weather Service says there were some isolated thunderstorms in New Jersey on Saturday night.