Four people have died during a mid-air collision between a helicopter and a two-seater aircraft, officials have confirmed.

The crash is understood to have happened near Waddesdon, in Buckinghamshire, shortly after 12noon today.

A spokesman for Wycombe Air Park has confirmed both aircraft came from there.

Superintendent Rebecca Mears, of Thames Valley, said on Friday night the aircraft were carrying two people each.

She said she could not give any details of the identity or the genders of the victims at this stage and her “first priority” was to find their next of kin.

The two aircraft came down close to the famous Waddesdon Estate.

Ms Mears said: “Our priorities today remain with investigating the next of kin, finding out who they are, informing them and supporting them with specialist officers as we progress the investigation here on site.

“Our priority has to be with the next of kin, speaking to them and letting them know.

“We anticipate being here until about Monday morning, potentially longer, we do not rush these things, it’s really important we do a meticulous investigation and really thorough to get to the bottom of what’s happened here.”

Police said there were two people on board both aircraft, and it was “too early to tell” what might have caused the crash.