A PILOT was hailed a hero last night for steering his plane away from a North-East town when the engine of his aircraft failed.

The pilot, who has not been named, is believed to have been giving a flying lesson to a pupil when his Cessna 150 ran into trouble.

The aircraft had taken off from Teesside Airport, between Stockton and Darlington, only 15 minutes earlier.

Officials at the airport said the pilot had radioed to say he had an engine problem.

As the small two-seater prepared to return to the airport, another problem arose and the engine stopped altogether, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing.

The aircraft was flying above Shildon, in County Durham, when the drama happened.

The pilot was able to pick out a farmer's field in time to land safely. He coolly placed the plane into a glide and brought it down in one piece.

A police spokesman at the scene, High West Thickley Farm, said yesterday afternoon that both instructor and pupil were shaken but uninjured.

He said: "They had only been flying 15 minutes when the plane cut out and they had to glide into the field. The emergency landing was very successful - the pilot did a great job."

Passers-by on the A6072 between Shildon and Bishop Auckland could see the aircraft in the field.

They looked on as both pilot and pupil sat with their heads in their hands by the plane waiting for an engineer to arrive for an inspection.

One witness said: "They certainly had a lucky escape."

John Waiting, a spokesman for Teesside Airport, said the aircraft was one of three Cessna 150s belonging to the Cleveland Flying School.

He said the pilot would have had plenty of time to pick his landing spot after the engine gave up.

"One of the reasons they are so popular is their handling ability," he said.

"Even without the engine, a Cessna pilot would be able to land his aircraft, provided he could find a reasonable strip of land.

"The aircraft actually glides very well and, because it is so sturdy, would have been able to land in a field, provided it wasn't too bumpy.

"Having said that, it's obviously a testament to the pilot's skills that he was able to keep things under control and land without a problem.

"He obviously kept a cool head, looked around and picked his landing area."

Cessna 150s are known as the workhorse of small scale civil aviation and are a favourite with flying instructors throughout the world.

Mr Waiting said: "They are very sturdy and, generally, very reliable aircraft.

"They can take off and land in very difficult conditions, including the jungle and the Australian outback in the sand and dust."

Last night, a security operation was under way to keep the aircraft from harm as experts debated what to do next.

Mr Waiting said: "They have two options: either bring it back on a truck or try flying it back.

"The Cessna could take off again - once the problem has been sorted out - because it only needs a very short runway."

Cleveland Flying School, one of three schools for private pilots, has been based at Teesside Airport for many years. It has more than 400 members and over 100 students. Tuition is provided by four full-time and six part-time instructors.

The school, which also offers training in aerobatics and radio navigation, has three Cessna 150s plus a further six aircraft.

Officials at the flying school declined to comment last night.