An airport runway was forced to close after a drone-like object was spotted flying within 3ft of a plane.

In a report by Airprox Board, the event was documented as a "high risk" incident, which resulted in safety procedures grounding planes at Heathrow.

On April 8 the pilot of an Airbus A320 reported a sighting of a drone at 11:35am 3000ft above Maidenhead.

Originally spotted on the right-hand side of the plane, Air Traffic Control asked the pilot if they were happy to continue their approach to the runway, to which the pilot approved as the drone was staying to the right of the centreline of their approach.

However, the drone later flew under the left wing, reportedly "only a few meters" from the engine.

Air Traffic Control was updated on the drone's movements and made the decision to close the runway.

In the Airprox Board report, it added: "The pilot described the drone as being round shaped drone with purple/turquoise colour."

The pilot later estimated that the drone came within three to 10 feet of the plane, with the risk of collision high and "immediate risk".

As the controller considered this an immediate risk to the aircraft they immediately discontinued arrivals on RW09L and coordinated switching to RW09R.

The Heathrow Approach controller reported that the pilots of three different aircraft also spotted the drone in the vicinity.

While the flying object has not been confirmed as being a drone, it is considered very likely that it was.

Just hours later at 3:19pm another suspected drone was spotted over Windsor.

The pilot of a B787 reported that on approach to a Heathrow runway, they spotted a flying object, possibly a drone hovering at approximately 1500-2000ft over Windsor.

Described as a stationary red object, the pilot documented how it was seen passing the right-hand side of the aircraft at the same level, a few metres from the wingtip.

It was reported to Air Traffic Control as a possible drone sighting.

This appeared to be confirmed by a crew member in the following aircraft who also saw the object.

Police met the aircraft to gather more information and a case number was given.

Heathrow Airport is subject to "strict regulations" regarding the use of drone operations near airports to ensure the safety of aircraft and passengers.

On Heathrow Airport's website, it states: "The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has designated certain areas around airports as "no-fly zones" for drones, and it is illegal to fly a drone in these areas without permission from the airport and the CAA.

"If a drone is spotted in the vicinity of an airport, it can cause serious disruption to flight operations, as planes may have to be diverted or grounded until the drone is safely removed.

"In the UK, it is a criminal offence to endanger the safety of an aircraft and those found guilty of this offence can face up to five years in prison."

Heathrow Airport has measures in place to detect and deter drones.