Flames burst from a plane engine when it struck a bird moments after takeoff.

Footage shows a succession of explosions coming from the Boeing 757 with two Rolls-Royce turbofan engines as it left Corfu, Greece, on Saturday evening.

Shocked passengers watched through the windows as the blasts of light were seen from inside the cabin of the Condor jet.

Loud bangs were also heard as the pilot scrambled to shut down the engine at an altitude of around 1,500ft

Flight DE3665 was bound for Dusseldorf, Germany, but made an emergency landing in Brindisi, Italy. The 273 passengers onboard were later transferred to their destination.

'We apologise for any inconvenience, but passenger safety is our top priority at any given time,' Condor said in a statement.

Aviation officials are now investigating the cause of the incident.