A Cathay Pacific flight from London to Hong Kong had to divert to Novosibirsk over fears of a fire in the cargo hold.

The airline says flight number CX250 from Heathrow Airport to Hong Kong International Airport diverted to Novosibirsk International Airport in Russia around six hours into the flight after a signal indicated a possible fire in the aft cargo hold.

It says there was no evidence of a fire on board the Boeing 777-300ER and another aircraft was sent from Hong Kong with the return flight expected to depart at 00.30h Novosibirsk.