Flights were delayed for several hours

An airport spokesperson said about 25 flights were delayed after computer problems at a national air traffic control centre.

Airport spokesperson Louise Hodson said the backlog had cleared after the initial problems at the centre in West Drayton were solved.

She praised passengers for being patient during the delays.

FLIGHT SIMULATOR Take-off from Nottingham Airport

Hundreds of flights across the country, including at London's Heathrow airport, were delayed when a computer undergoing an upgrade went on the blink at around 0500 GMT, officials said.

National Air Traffic Services said safety was not compromised by the computer problems at a national centre.