Roads around Prestwick airport have now reopened after being closed to allow for the landing of a US Air Force plane that had an emergency over the west coast of Scotland.

The US military plane declared a mid-air emergency just minutes after taking off from Prestwick airport.

The McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Extender, with callsign ROMA91, took off from Glasgow Prestwick Airport, in Ayrshire, at around 10.06am. 

At 10.12am it declared a 'Squawk 7700' emergency, which is used to identify an aircraft that has a possible issue and enables it to have priority over other air traffic. 

The plane landed safely at 10.55am and is now being dealt with by the airport.

Police Scotland was tasked with closing the roads around the airport whilst the plane circles around the Firth of Clyde, with eye-witnesses spotting it circulating Loch Ryan, near Stranraer.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We were alerted to an aircraft having an emergency over the west coast of Scotland around 10.20am on Thursday 5 August, and required to land at Prestwick airport.

"Some roads locally were closed while the aircraft landed and it landed safely around 10.55am."

"All roads have now re-opened and the matter is being dealt with by the airport."

It is not understood what caused the emergency call.

The US Air Force have been approached for comment.