A Keighley sailor is involved in the huge search for the missing Malaysian Airlines flight.

Able Seaman Ryan Smith is serving on the Royal Navy survey ship HMS Echo which has been redeployed to assist in the search.

The former South Craven School student is part of the hydrographic and meteorological team on the ship.

HMS Echo had been carrying out survey work in the Middle East before receiving instructions to join the international search effort in the Southern Indian Ocean.

Able Seaman Smith, who grew up in Keighley and joined the Royal Navy in 2010, said he felt privileged to be part of the search operation.

He said: “As part of the hydrographic branch one of my jobs is to monitor the survey equipment for signs of the flight deck recorder (black box).

“I hope we can find some answers for the friends and families of those on flight MH370.”