A JET carrying 275 British holidaymakers and eight crew to Manchester had to abort take-off when engines malfunctioned and a fire broke out on one wheel, officials said.

The Thomas Cook Boeing 757-300 was half way along the runway at Larnaca Airport in Cyprus when the captain aborted take-off after warning lights were triggered.

The captain was alerted by three warning lights flashing on the flight deck indicating a possible, "engine over-run," the airline said.

Fire broke out as the brakes were applied and the airfield fire service was scrambled.

Passengers were put on another plane and flown home following the aborted take-off at 7.10pm last night.

Shaun Robinson, of Thomas Cook Airlines, said: " The captain carried out a text book style procedures on the runway following a warning indication to a possible engine problem.

"The aircraft reacted correctly to the captain's controls and the fire service turned out as a precaution. The safety of both passengers and aircraft was never compromised."