Fighter jets are ready to shoot down any Chinese spy balloons, it has been revealed.

Britain is prepared to launch fighter jets to shoot down any spy balloons from China if they are found floating over the country, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has suggested.

The PM indicated that the UK would not accept any Beijing spy missions in Britain’s airspace after four objects were shot down over the US by the American military.

Defence secretary Ben Wallace has ordered a security review, and fellow Conservative minister Richard Holden said it was 'possible' spy balloons have been deployed across UK airspace.

PM Rishi Sunak said: "We have something called the Quick Reaction Alert Force which involves Typhoon planes which are kept on 24/7 readiness to police our air space.”

“I can’t go into detail on national security matters, but we’re in constant touch with our allies."