A SEARCH for a light aircraft thought to have crashed at The Needles on the Isle of Wight has been stood down.

A member of the public raised the alarm with Solent Coastguard at around 12.10pm.

The coastguard immediately launched an investigation but by 2pm nothing had been found.

They were looking for a twin engine aircraft south west of The Needles, nearly two miles out.

It is now believed to be a false alarm, possibly caused by a low flying aeroplane on its way to Alderney.

Portland Coastguard's helicopter lifted at 12.20pm to join in the search.

Isle of Wight police, Yarmouth RNLI, the Solent coastguard helicopter and The Needles coastguard were also involved.

Guests at The Needles Old Battery on High Down, Totland Bay, thought they saw a white aircraft dropping into the sea as they sat in the cafe.

Hannah Griffiths, custodian at the National Trust property, told the Daily Echo: "It was our visitors who reported it travelling low over The Needles and ditching in to the sea about five miles off."

Police officers and coastguards are now on site investigating, she said.

"Our cafe has panoramic views of the spot so they were just drinking cups of tea when they saw it occur," she added.

"They saw a fleeting glimpse and got their binoculars out."