Four people have died after a light aircraft crashed in Somerset, police said.

Two men and two women were killed when the six-seater came down near Churchinford in the Blackdown Hills south of Taunton just before 11.45am.

The aircraft was en route from Surrey to Dunkeswell Aerodrome in east Devon when it crashed, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Superintendent Richard Corrigan said: "This is a very sad incident in which four people have tragically lost their lives.

"It's too early to give any further details about the victims but we're ensuring specially-trained officers are making contact with their next of kin and giving them all the support they need.

"We've been working very closely with our colleagues from the other emergency services at the scene to make the area safe and ensure the resulting investigation can proceed.

"The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been informed and is deploying a team of investigators.

"There are road closures in place and we'd respectfully ask people not to attend the scene."

Police said 27 fire and rescue personnel plus specialist vehicles, were sent to the scene, along with ambulances, the local air ambulance and a police helicopter.

The AAIB confirmed it is sending a team to investigate the incident.