PASSENGERS spoke of their terror last night after a pilot aborted a flight seconds before take-off.

The aircraft was on the runway when cabin crew spotted smoke filling the cockpit.

About 50 people were aboard the KLM flight, from Amsterdam's Schipol Airport to Teesside, near Darlington, when the incident took place.

Fumes were seen filling the cockpit and cabin, forcing the captain to abandon the take-off.

Passengers said they were thrown forward in their seats as the aeroplane braked sharply.

Had the fire been seen a few seconds later, the aircraft would have been past the point of no return. The pilot would have been forced to take off even though smoke was filling the passenger compartment.

Once in the air, the aircraft could have turned back and made an emergency landing.

The twin-engined Fokker 50 jet, operated by KLM UK, was evacuated, with the passengers being led back to the airport.

One, who was en route to Darliington, said last night: "I was absolutely terrified. There were a lot of people shouting and screaming and we were told to get off the plane as quickly as possible.

"They were obviously worried that there was a bomb on-board or something, especially bearing in mind September 11."

Passengers on the flight, which was due to leave Amsterdam at 11pm on Sunday, were put up for the night in a nearby hotel while a replacement flight was found for the following morning.

KLM said an oil leak in the engine had caused the smoke, with an emergency evacuation procedure being successfully put into place.

A spokeswoman said: "Everyone got off safely and they were happy to fly the next day.

"The plane involved is currently grounded and is undergoing a full check-up to find out how the fault occurred."

KLM UK runs three flights a day from Teesside to Schipol, which is a popular destination with business travellers as a European hub.

John Waiting, a spokesman for Teesside Airport, said: "There was a technical fault and the flight did not take off so the passengers were given overnight accommodation in Amsterdam."

Mr Waiting added that the plane used by KLM was a "reliable work horse", with hundreds in service.