by Martin Jefferies

A man has died after a helicopter that took off from Manston Airport crashed.

The aircraft came down in a field in Witchford, near Ely, Cambridgeshire, at around 11.30am.

Eyewitnesses reportedly saw the black helicopter land upside down on the ground.

Cambridgeshire Police said the pilot was the only person on board and that his next of kin, who live in Kent, have been told.

A spokesman said: "The force control room was called by a member of the public who reported seeing a helicopter go down in a field behind Lancaster Way Business Park.

"The crash site has been secured pending an investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

"No one on the ground was injured and no roads have been affected."

Charles Buchanan, chief executive of Manston Airport, said the aircraft had taken off without incident earlier in the day.

"Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the pilot," he said.

"We will, of course, be cooperating fully with all investigations that will now take place."

A police cordon set up around the crash site will remain in place until the AAIB has completed its investigations.