A pilot in his 70s has been injured after his light aircraft came down in trees in a field behind a school this afternoon.

The single seater propeller driven aircraft crash landed in a group of trees in a field behind Cobham Primary School just before 4pm.

Police and four fire engines, including a foam unit, rushed to the scene but found the pilot had managed to free himself by the time they arrived.

The pilot suffered only minor injuries to his hands. He was treated by firefighters then handed over to paramedics.

Mechanical failure is thought to be behind the crash.

Fire crews also isolated the power of the aircraft and checked for any fuel leaks.