Gatwick chief operating officer Chris Woodroofe has told the BBC that the drones had sparked "very significant disruption for passengers" but that police did not want to shoot them down because of the risk from stray bullets.

He told Today: "Last night there were 10,000 people disrupted.

"There were 6,000 people flying in from around the world to Gatwick who were diverted to alternative airports as we closed, there were 2,000 people who didn't take off from their origin airport and there are a further 2,000 people here who couldn't fly to their destination because the airport closed."

He added that 20 police units from two forces were hunting for the pilot, saying: "The police are looking for the operator and that is the way to disable the drone.

"We also have the helicopter up in the air but the police advice us that it would be dangerous to seek to shoot the drone down because of what may happen to the stray bullets."

Gatwick Airport's runway was closed after two drones were spotted.

Gatwick Airport has told the BBC its runway remains closed this morning as it tries to locate a drone still in the sky.

Two drones have been seen several times.

Chief operating officer Chris Woodroofe expects the runway to stay closed until at least 08:00 GMT.

The law says:

• It is illegal to fly a drone within 1km of an airport or airfield boundary
• Flying above 400ft (120m) - which increases the risk of a collision with a manned aircraft - is also illegal
• Endangering the safety of an aircraft is a criminal offence which can carry a prison sentence of five years

Source: dronesafe.uk, external

Passengers due to travel from Gatwick have been told to check the status of their flight, external.

One of the UK's busiest airports is stuck by delays after drones were seen over the airfield.

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