POLICE have warned that the number thought to have died after a plane crashed into a West Sussex main road during an air show, could rise as investigations continued.

Eleven people are so far thought to have died after a vintage jet plummeted into traffic on the A27 on Saturday after attempting a loop manoeuvre.

A crane will be used today in a bid to move the wreckage - and it is then that more bodies could be discovered.

Air crash investigators and emergency services were continuing their search of the scene of the Shoreham Air Show crash on Sunday.

A Hawker Hunter failed to complete a loop-the-loop and descended into the A27 on Saturday.

Among those that died are are Matt Jones, a personal trainer, and Worthing United footballers Matthew Grimstone and Jacob Schilt.

Mr Grimstone, 23, the first-team goalkeeper, and Mr Schilt, also 23 and a "tenacious midfielder", were on their way to play a home game against Loxwood FC at 3pm when they were caught up in the crash.

On Saturday the number of deaths was initially given as seven, but Mr Barry said it was now "highly likely" that 11 had died.

Formal identification could not yet be given, however.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Barry it is "quite possible" that there are still more fatalities as investigators continue to work at the site to recover bodies.

He said the force had managed to identify that 11 people are "highly likely to have died in this tragedy" based on work at the site and inquiries following calls to the emergency services.

Warning that the death toll could rise further still, he said investigators are keeping "an open mind" about who has been involved in the crash as they continue to receive calls from worried friends and relatives.

Mr Barry added: "The scene itself is incredibly large. A lot of specially-trained officers are sifting, as we speak, so we do need to keep an open mind but from what we have seen at this stage it is possible that we will find more fatalities."

Sussex Police said no-one on the airfield was injured but the pilot - named locally as former RAF pilot Andy Hill - remained in a critical condition in hospital. He was pulled from the burning wreckage.

Mr Barry added: "It is a very, very significant operation, the likes of which I have never seen before."

In an emotional tribute, Mr Grimstone's parents Sue and Phil and brothers David and Paul called him the "kindest person you could ever meet".

They said: "The family are in total shock at losing our dearest son Matthew so tragically at 23 years old.

"He was the kindest person you could ever meet with a great wit. In his 23 years, we can honestly say he never lost his temper."

Mark Sanderson, Worthing United's secretary, broke down as he described Grimbles as "a huge talent, quiet and reserved but a brilliant player with a huge potential to go further in the game".

He added: "Jacob was also 23 years of age, small in stature and a tenacious midfielder, also very skilful with a eye for goal."

Mr Sanderson said the two men played a key part in the most successful season in the club's history last season when it won the league and cup double.

He added: "At this point we don't know how or if we will cope with this.

"Worthing United is a family, part of the football family. We have been moved by the number of tributes to them that we have received from our fellow clubs and from the public."

Mr Grimstone had also worked at Brighton & Hove Albion football club for seven years.

Several cars were hit by the burning aircraft, one of which was a Daimler wedding car on its way to pick up a bride to take her to her wedding.

The company, Chariots Chauffeurs, believe the male driver is among those killed.