RAF fighter jets scrambled to intercept an airliner trigger sonic boom over London and Kent

Two fighter jets scrambled to intercept a cargo plane caused a sonic boom over south London and Kent today.

The loud bang was heard in Dartford, Sidcup, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge as the RAF Typhoons broke the sound barrier.

The Latvian Antonov 26, lost contact with air traffic controllers on a flight to Birmingham and was escorted to Stansted Airport in Essex.

The fighter jets from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire were given special permission to travel at supersonic speeds over mainland Britain.

Essex police said the Antonov landed safely at Stansted where it was established the aircraft posed no threat.

Watch the plane being escorted towards Stansted Airport below.