An investigation launched after an emergency slide fell from a plane over Langton Green has revealed a technical fault was to blame.

Panic was sparked when a mystery item, later revealed to be a Boeing 757's chute, was seen falling over the west of the county in October.

The Thomas Cook flight, from Gatwick to Egypt, was forced to turn around and make an emergency landing just an hour into its five hour journey.

Investigators at the Civil Aviation Authority began investigating how such an essential piece of emergency equipment fell from the aircraft.

The item was described by a witness as being around 13ft x 3ft (4m x 1m). Social media users said the item billowed like a parachute and caused a loud bang upon landing.

A report, produced by the Air Accident Investigation Branch, into the object fault reveals a series of technical issues are to blame.

During take off an advisory message appeared in the cockpit. It told pilots the right over-wing escape slide cover was not secure.

The pilot was advised to continue climbing. Members of crew reported the aircraft handled normally during takeoff and there were no other abnormal indications.

After the immediate departure procedures, they alerted the cabin manager and asked her if anyone had heard or seen anything unusual.

They also completed the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) procedure showing no further action was required. However, after contacting company operations the pilot decided to return to Gatwick.

The crew were advised to circle over the area for approximately 40 minutes to burn off fuel before landing.

The 239 passengers on the flight heard a number of bangs and felt shuddering throughout the aircraft when it lowered to 3,000ft.

Two passengers then reported seeing a white object detach from the plane on the right side. The pilot later told controllers that autopilot seemed to be "struggling" to maintain the wings level, so he disconnected and took manual control.

The object, later identified as the slide, hit the plane and a window before plummeting to the ground. It was recovered by investigators and kept as evidence.

The slide panel was discovered by Reverend Michael Gentry in the churchyard of All Saints' Church in Langton Green.

The investigation determined a number of problems with the slide panel and carrier locking devices caused the carrier to deploy and the slide to unravel.

In February 2013, a work order was raised which recorded the right over-wing slide pack carrier access door had been found open at its rear edge during a walk-round inspection.

A more detailed assessment found a yellow door lock handle incorrectly positioned. The door was checked and re-closed satisfactorily.

A service bulletin was already in existence to address some of the issues, but it had not been actioned on at the time of the incident.

The report said aircraft investigators also found a crank handle which controls the slide panel latches had moved to the release position.

Work had been carried out on the aircraft the night before the flight, on October 31, and the handle may have been knocked into this position before moving fully open as a result of takeoff vibrations.

Further issues were identified on aircraft door designations and two safety recommendations have been made.

To read the full report click here.