Residents were woken up to the sound of a rumbling jet as it soared over the skies of County Durham, Darlington and North Yorkshire.

At around 9am on Wednesday (October 26), those in Newton Aycliffe heard the roar of an US Air Force F15 as it looped over the town.

Just minutes before, residents in Darlington, Richmond and Ripon reported hearing the unusual noise as it tore above them. 

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On social media, some described their house "shook" as others said the noise was extremely loud, distinct from the unusual aircraft over the region.

But the United States Air Force (USAF), which operates the F15, has explained why residents had seen the aircraft.

They said that the aircraft had been in the sky as part of training exercises being completed across the UK.

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A spokesperson for the USAF told The Northern Echo: "Our aircraft fly throughout the United Kingdom on routine training missions which sometimes takes them over North Yorkshire.

"Our aircraft also fly across Europe to participate in exercises alongside partner nations and in support of NATO missions."

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It is understood the aircraft involved is based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, which is currently operated by the USAF and host to the 48th Fighter Wing.

The flight comes as Lord Alan Sugar's aircraft was spotted at Teesside Airport on Thursday.

The private jet, which carries the registration G-SUGR, arrived just before 9.10am having travelled from Farnborough in Hampshire.

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