A HUGE military plane was spotted in the skies above Wirral.

The Royal Air Force aircraft – an Ascot 478 A400M – was seen circling over the borough on Wednesday, August 10.

Wirral Globe: The plane could be seen flying low over Wirral (image: Ian Fairbrother)The plane could be seen flying low over Wirral (image: Ian Fairbrother)

Wirral resident, Ian Fairbrother, captured the military plane which was spotted flying over Tranmere at around 5pm.

Measuring 45.10m with a wingspan of 42.40m, the aircraft can carry a 37-tonne payload 2,000nm to establish and remove civilian and military airfields.

It is also capable of operating at altitudes up to 40,000ft and offers low-level capability.

Wirral Globe: (image: Ian Fairbrother)(image: Ian Fairbrother)

The RAF plane can accommodate as many as 116 fully equipped troops, vehicles, helicopters mixed loads, and 54 passengers.