A COUPLE whose plane was struck by lightning as they flew to Ibiza are safely back home.

The holiday started dramatically for Blackburn couple Tom and Margaret Kennedy when, 30 minutes after boarding a Boeing 767 at Manchester Airport, it was struck by lightning and forced to land in Luton.

Mr Kennedy, 71, of Wilworth Crescent, Pleckgate, said: "We heard a bang, almost like a television set had been dropped on the plane. It then seemed to shudder and the lights starting flickering.

"The pilot explained what had happened and said safety checks would have to be carried out before we continued to Ibiza.

"It was quite frightening and resulted in the plane being delayed for more than two hours."

Mr Kennedy, who is a community correspondent for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, added: "We didn't let it spoil our holiday but it certainly shook us up."

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