A team of French doctors say they have carried out a successful operation on a human under “weightless” conditions in an adapted aircraft. The trial is being seen as a first step to performing surgery in space.

The doctors removed a benign tumour from the arm of a volunteer as their plane made a series of swoops to mimic a reduced-gravity environment.

The medics and patient were strapped down for the procedure which was done inside a hygienic plastic tent.