US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump safely boarded a support helicopter after the one they were travelling in experienced a hydraulic issue and was forced to land at a local airfield as they were leaving the UK.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said it caused the Trumps a slight delay arriving at Stansted Airport, near London, where they boarded the Air Force One jet on Thursday for their return to the US.

“Due to a minor hydraulic issue, and out of an abundance of caution, the pilots landed at a local airfield before reaching Stansted Airport,” she said.

“The president and first lady safely boarded the support helicopter.”

Leavitt said at no point was the president or first lady in danger.

No injuries were reported.

Earlier, Trump wrapped up his historic second state visit to the UK by signing what he called a historic agreement on science and technology with Britain.

Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a roundtable with business leaders as they signed the deal.

They also had private meetings where the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and tariff rates the US may set on steel imported from Britain were expected to be discussed.