A 60-year-old woman from Oare, near Pewsey, died after the glider she was flying crashed into a field.

She has been named as Kay Draper, a former champion hang glider.

Police, ambulance and fire crews were called to Southwood Farm Lane, near the village of Bradley, Hampshire, at 11.55am on Thursday after receiving reports that the aircraft had come down.

A Hampshire police spokeswoman said: "Kay Draper, 60, of Marlborough, Wiltshire, died when the glider she was piloting came down in a field in Southwood Farm Lane, near the village of Bradley.

"She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her next-of-kin have been informed.

"There were no injuries sustained by anybody on the ground."

The spokeswoman said that the Air Accidents Investigation Branch had launched an investigation into the accident involving the glider, which started its flight at Lasham Airfield.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service have described the aircraft as an "engine-powered glider".

According to www.womenglide.co.uk, Mrs Draper joined the British hang gliding team that won the first Women’s European and Women’s World Championships after taking up the sport in 1979.

The site says she learned to fly gliders in 1996, flying in her first competition in 1999.

She shared two gliders with her husband, David, who has also been a member of the British team.

Mrs Draper worked as an independent occupational therapist.

Police say anyone with information on the crash should call 101, quoting Operation Pollen.