Rescue teams are searching for a plane which is thought to have crashed into the Channel.

The Piper PA-28 aircraft was carrying two people when it went missing yesterday on its way to Le Touquet in northern France.

The French Coastguard says the plane is "subject of a worrying disappearance" and a widespread hunt is under way.

All ships using the Channel have today been told to keep on the lookout for floating debris from the crash.

The plane, thought to date back to the 1970s, was heading to France from Wellesbourne in Warwickshire.

A search operation was carried out yesterday afternoon to no avail. It restarted this morning.

The Telegraph is reporting those onboard were on a day trip to France organised by the South Warwickshire Flying School.

It is believed the plane, which went off radar systems at 9.02am, was in a group of aircraft heading over to Le Touquet.

The Coastguard is assisting French authorities in the search for the wreckage and survivors.