This is why a giant military plane was seen flying low over Wakefield

The plane is a RAF A400M Atlas aircraft from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

It has been flying over Wakefield and Leeds as part of routine training and it is not connected to the country's fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

The aircraft will also be training in Prestwick, Scotland, this morning.

RAF Brize Norton tweeted: "This morning, our A400M Atlas aircraft will be operating in the vicinity of Leeds and Prestwick, whilst engaged in essential training.

"These are necessary, routine, flights and not connected with RAF support to the UK's fight against coronavirus."

The aircraft, which has the call sign Ascot480, has been tracked flying over the south and west of the city, before making an approach towards Leeds Bradford Airport.

Chris Newsome spotted the low-flying plane from his garden in Horsforth, filming the aircraft on its training approach.

Chris said: "I live right under the flight path so I'm used to seeing planes low all the time. It's just nice to see an aircraft flying over again."

A message from Deputy Editor Gavin Murray:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you