A PILOT has been airlifted to hospital after a gyrocopter crash on the edge of Cumbria.

The pilot was taken to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary with what the police say are believed to be minor injuries.

A passenger appears to have escaped unhurt, with no reported injuries.

Cumbria Police and other emergency services - including cave rescuers and an air ambulance - have been involved in the rescue this afternoon.

A statement from the force said that police were called at around 3.20pm from a member of the public who reported that a gyroscope helicopter had crashed into the summit of Great Knoutberry, near Dent, Sedbergh.

It added: "Cave rescue were alerted and assisted in the search, however were stood down when the air ambulance located the aircraft with the pilot and passenger."

Cumbria Police have referred the incident to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

The Cumbria-Yorkshire border runs across the top of Great Knoutberry Hill, which is more than 2,200 feet high and also known as Widdale Fell.

It is in the Yorkshire Dales and is located at the heads of Ribblesdale, Dentdale and Wensleydale.