TRIBUTES have been paid to a Moreton man who died in an aircraft crash in Overbury, near Tewkesbury.

John Smith, aged 52, a senior instructor for Aeros Flight Training died during the plane crash on Monday January 8 at 12.50pm.

"Aeros regret to confirm that an instructor and student died in an aircraft crash in Gloucestershire on Monday 8 January 2018.

Nick Dunn, managing director, said: "This accident has shocked and saddened everyone in the company. John Smith, the senior instructor at our Coventry business was highly experienced.

"He was very popular with both his colleagues and his students - enthusiastic, a great communicator and always ready with one of his famous jokes.

"The student onboard had been training towards qualification as a commercial pilot, intending to join an airline in the near future.

"We send our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of both pilots.

"The cause of this crash is unknown and is being investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB)."

A 24-year-old man from Kuwait who was living in Coventry also lost his life in the crash.

The light plane, a Piper PA-28 single-engined aircraft, crashed in a fields near Overbury, on the slopes of Bredon Hill.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, but were unable to help the pilot and passenger of the aircraft.

A spokesman for the Air Accident Investigation Branch confirmed that an an investigation has been launched.

The spokesman said that the investigation could take up to 12 months before it is concluded and its report published.

The aircraft was thought to have been based at the Gloucestershire Airport at Staverton, between Gloucester and Cheltenham.

Superintendent Kevin Purcell from West Mercia Police said: "We have been working closely with our colleagues from the other emergency services to make the area safe and to ensure the resulting investigation can now proceed, which is being led by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

"We are continuing to support them throughout their ongoing investigation.

"Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the two men who have lost their lives."

Gloucestershire Airport issued a statement saying: "Two people were killed when the light aircraft they were flying in crashed at Overbury. Our air traffic control staff raised the alarm when contact was lost with the aircraft around 12.40pm. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic accident."