Wreckage found in hunt for plane

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Coastguards searching for a plane missing off the Blackpool coast have found the wreckage of a light aircraft, Lancashire Police have said.

The emergency services were alerted after radar contact was lost with the plane soon after 1700 GMT on Saturday.

Two men are believed to have been on board. It is not known whether they died in the crash.

The search was called off at 2100 GMT and will resume at first light, said a Lancashire Police spokesman.

Hampered by fog

The search operation had been under way for two hours when the wreckage was spotted by an RNLI lifeboat near Blackpool's south promenade.

An RNLI spokesman said the operation had been hampered by fog.

The aircraft - thought to be a Warrior PA28 - was believed to have been travelling from Exeter to Blackpool, said Lancashire Police.

The PA28 is a four-seater light aircraft often used for pilot training or private travel.

The single-engine aircraft is capable of speeds up to 146mph and has a range of 736 miles (1,185km).