A HUGE military plane was spotted flying over Wirral yesterday (Tuesday, January 9).

An Airbus A400M was heard and seen by residents as it flew over Wirral and Liverpool yesterday evening.

The plane, typically referred to as Atlas by the RAF, has the ability to carry a 37-tonne payload over 2,000nm to established and remote civilian and military airfields, and short unprepared or semi-prepared strips. 

It will accommodate as many as 116 fully-equipped troops; vehicles; helicopters, including a Chinook; mixed loads, including nine aircraft pallets and 54 passengers, or combinations of vehicles, pallets and personnel, up to a payload of 37 tonnes.

The plane first set off from RAF Brize Norton in Carterton and headed towards Shrewsbury, before diverting to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where it circled for some time.

Wirral Globe: The route the plane took over WirralThe route the plane took over Wirral (Image: Radarbox)

The plane then headed for Merseyside, where it was seen circling between Wirral and Liverpool.

The aircrafts often visit Merseyside for training exercises and have been seen on a number of occasions circling over the region.

Residents took to social media to talk about the huge RAF plane.

One said: "Just saw it in New Brighton, it was really low!!"

Another said: "It does look awesome I have never seen it flying around here before."

A third added: "I loved the sea level flight up the Mersey - that's some flying!"