EasyJet flight diverted to Stansted after alert

An Easyjet flight on route from Hamburg to Luton with 151 passengers on board has been diverted to Stansted Airport following a security alert. (AFP)

An Easyjet flight on route from Hamburg to Luton with 151 passengers on board has been diverted to Stansted Airport following a security alert.

The plane landed at 17:20 BST, a Stansted spokesman told the BBC.

Essex Police later said the passengers were safe and well and the plane was expected to be cleared to fly to Luton.

In a statement later Easyjet said the Airbus A319 aircraft had been diverted as a "precautionary measure".

"We would like to thank passengers for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience caused," it said.