An F-18 fighter jet has reportedly crashed shortly after take-off from RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. The pilot is believed to have ejected.

The jet was one of six returning from combat operations in the Middle East and reportedly failed to rendezvous with a fuel tanker before the crash occurred.

A US Air Force official confirmed the crash.

Despite the RAF prefix, Lakenheath is a United States Air Force base.

Emergency service are on the scene near Shippea Hill station near Ely, Cambridgeshire. 

The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather fighter jet which has been in service since 1983.

The aircraft is reported to have crashed around 5 miles north west of Lakenheath Airfield.

A Swiss F-18 crashed near the village of Glamondans in eastern France earlier in October.

(RT)