A PILOT from Gloucester and his passenger have been killed in an air crash in Spain.

It is believed Royce Sutton, 47, died when the autogyro he was flying crashed into a forest in Majorca.

The accident happened on Thursday at the Aerodromo de Petra, near Villafranca in the south-east of the island.

Mr Sutton, was flying the aircraft, described as a cross between a microlight and a helicopter.

His passenger, Argentine Bruno Mendoza, was being treated to the flight to celebrate his 33rd birthday.

The pair were understood to have met in Andratx, where Mr Sutton lived and Mr Mendoza, who had Spanish nationality, worked as a barman at a nightclub called Migi-Migi.

The close-knit community in the coastal town is said to be deeply shocked.

Mr Sutton is understood to have been very experienced with a variety of aircraft. Eyewitness reports in the Spanish media said the accident happened shortly before 8.30pm.

The aircraft appeared to lose altitude and fell into a forest near the main road from Palm-Manacor to Petra. One account said the autogyro was turning when it suddenly dived. On impact the autogyro hit a tree and burst into flames.

Emergency services rushed to the accident but both men were declared dead at the scene.

In the days since the accident investigations have been taking place at the crash scene. It is not yet known what caused the collision, but initial reports suggest it was not due to mechanical failure.

A microlight pilot was killed at the same airfield in a similar crash 10 years ago.

The Foreign Office confirmed Mr Sutton's death and said consular assistance has been provided to Mr Sutton's family by the British Consulate office on Majorca.