The light aircraft crashed this afternoon shortly after take-off, according to emergency services.

Two fire engines and an air ambulance were scrambled to the scene, near St Albans, but the pilot's condition is unknown.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) are also believed to have been called to the scene.

Twitter user @jc_bee wrote: "Something's going down in Chiswell Green. Multiple police cars, five fire engines. Plane down?"

A Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We were called to a light aircraft crash that came down after take off in Chiswell Green Lane.

"We sent two fire engines and a rescue unit. One person was in the plane at the time but there is no update on his condition.

"Emergency services including Hertfordshire Police and an air ambulance are on the scene."

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "We were called to reports of a microlight crash near Chiswell Green Lane in St Albans at 12.29pm today.

"A rapid response vehicle, two ambulance officers, one unit from our hazardous area response team (HART) and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance were sent to the scene.

"This is all the information we have at this time."

Hertfordshire Constabulary said: "Police were called at 12.33pm by the ambulance service to reports a light aircraft had crashed in a field off Chiswell Green Lane.

"Officers, the ambulance service, the air ambulance and fire service attended the scene.

"The pilot was the only person in the aircraft. Officers are making contact with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch."

Exodus Airsports, which operates at the airfield, declined to comment when approached by Express.co.uk.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is yet to comment on its investigation.

Chiswell Green airfield is about three miles from St Albans.