THE National Trust is suing an Asian airline over the crash of one of its aircraft in 1999.

The organisation, which has its headquarters in Swindon, has issued a writ to Korean Airlines for more than £300,000 after a Boeing 747 jumbo jet freighter crashed into a field on the edge of Hatfield Forest minutes after take-off from Stansted.

The crash in December 1999 killed all four crew, but now, five-and-a-half years later, the conservation organisation has decided to take legal action through the High Court for the damage caused to the ancient woodland.

A spokesman for the organisation said: "We have issued a writ to Korean Airlines via our solicitors covering two areas.

"They are to recover costs for when the forest had to be closed during 2000 and also to cover damage to the forest."