Two planes were diverted away from Manchester Airport today - Thursday - after separate storm cells developed at either side of the airport.

Both were TUI flights and were diverted to Newcastle Airport as a result.

The planes were due to land as heavy rainfall, thunder and lightning lashed Greater Manchester and the North West earlier this afternoon.

The airport, however, reported what it called 'thunder cells' that had developed at either side of the airport at the time.

The conditions - said to be a rare occurrence - made landing planes far more difficult.

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As a result, planes on approach to land at the airport were placed in a holding pattern, a spokesperson confirmed to the Man

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