AN RAF plane was seen flying over the sea off Bournemouth pier this afternoon.

The Royal Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas flew a number of circuits over the English Channel between Bournemouth, Swanage, and out towards the French coast.

The plane was in the air for just short of two hours, taking off from Bournemouth Airport at 1.47pm and landing at the airport at around 3.35pm.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence at RAF Brize Norton, where the RAF’s Atlas A400Ms are based, said: “A RAF A400 Atlas from RAF Brize Norton was completing routine training around Bournemouth and Poole Bay, the training consisted of collecting and air dropping troops and stores.

“This training will continue over the next two weeks.

“Such training ensures our crews remain ready and able to deploy on global operations.”

The aircraft, which has a callsign of JGSAW99, has a wingspan of 42.4m, is 45.1m long and has a top speed of 741km/h, according to the RAF.

It can carry a payload of 37,000kg, with a maximum range of up to 7,593km.

The Atlas can accommodate as many as 116 fully-equipped troops, vehicles and helicopters (including Chinooks).

It can also hold mixed loads including nine aircraft pallets and 54 passengers, or combinations of vehicles, pallets and personnel.

Loads are delivered by parachute, through gravity extraction from the rear ramp, or by landing.

Operated by two pilots and a weapons systems operator, the aircraft also has dedicated paratroop doors.