Four people in small plane had a lucky escape when the pilot successfully crash-landed in a farm field near Farnley last night.

Fire crews from Bradford, Stanningley and Leeds, together with ambulances and police, rushed to the scene in open land on Farnley Hall Farm at 8.30pm.

Miraculously, the Piper Cherokee Warrior II fixed wing aircraft came down near Hall Lane and safely with only minor damage to the aircraft, said Stanningley Watch Commander Mark Collingwood.

“None of the four people on board were injured which was very lucky - I think the pilot should have bought a lottey ticket that night,” Mr Collingwood said.

He said flight accident investigators and police were now investigating the cause of the forced landing.