UK-bound plane struck by lightning

Lightning has struck a UK-bound airliner in the US, forcing the plane to return to San Francisco.

John Ginty, duty manager at San Francisco International Airport, said the United Airlines flight landed safely on Thursday night and there were no injuries to anyone on the jet.

United spokeswoman Megan McCarthy said the Boeing 777 was carrying 258 passengers.

She said the plane landed at about 9pm, shortly after it had taken off. Maintenance workers were inspecting the aircraft and it was due to complete its journey to London yesterday.