A pilot was killed when an aircraft taking part in an aerial show plummeted to the ground in front of horrified spectators.

The motor racing track in Little Budworth, at Oulton Park in Cheshire, is currently hosting the CarFest event created by TV and radio presenter Chris Evans.

The display pilot who died has been named as Kevin Whyman by the Heritage Aircraft Trust, operator of the Gnat Display Team.

The companion show, CarFest South, is held in Hampshire.

Mr Evans told reporters: ''There was a tragic accident, the result of which was that one of the pilots involved in a synchro display lost his life.''

The visibly-upset presenter added: ''Our condolences go out to his family who have been informed.

''The police have also advised us that the best thing and the safest thing to do is to carry on with the event bearing in mind that there are 10,000 children here - and that is what we are going to do.''

He said it would be ''completely inappropriate'' to speculate on how the accident happened. Evans said he would give a tribute to the pilot at a later point.

An Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) spokesman said: ''AAIB will be investigating and is sending a team to the site.''

Eyewitnesses described horrified spectators screaming as a plane nose dived suddenly during a display.

CarFest is described on its Twitter profile as Evans's ''dream of the perfect family festival'', featuring cars, planes and music. It is raising money for the BBC's Children In Need appeal.

The event began yesterday and is due to finish tomorrow.

A second event - CarFest South - is due to take place at Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire between August 28-30.

The crash comes under 24 hours after a light aircraft carrying members of the Bin Laden family crashed onto a car auction site at Blackbushe in Hampshire.