A pilot has died after his plane plunged into the ground nose-first moments after taking off.

The light aircraft crashed at Chiswell Green airfield in Hertfordshire, prompting two fire engines and an air ambulance to be dispatched at around 12.30 today.

A Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman told MailOnline: 'We were called to reports of a light aircraft having gone nose down after take-off.

The light aircraft crashed at Chiswell Green airfield in Hertfordshire, prompting two fire engines and an air ambulance to be dispatched. Pictured: A lane leading to the airfield

'We sent two fire engines. We think there was one person on board the aircraft but we do not have any updates about his condition.'

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.'

The Air Accident Investigation Branch is looking into the incident.