FRIENDS of two North Yorkshire men who piloted a microlight which plunged into the sea said they were devastated after hearing it was feared they had died.

Members of Baxby Airsports Club, at Husthwaite, near Thirsk, said they were too upset by the disappearance of Terry Driffield, 66, and Ray Hymas, 68 - after flying from City of Derry Airport in Northern Ireland last Thursday - to comment further.

Wreckage was found the following day off the coast of Co Antrim at Glenarm but, as yet, the men have not been located.

Pilots in the area said both men are experienced aviators and paid close attention to safety procedures.

Members of the British Microlight Association have speculated whether spatial disorientation over water could have contributed towards the crash.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland released a statement in which the families of Mr Driffield and Mr Hymas expressed thanks to the search teams.

A police spokesman said a huge search operation, which has featured sonar and seabed scanning and teams including coastguards, the RNLI, Northern Ireland Environment agency and North West Mountain Rescue, for the men would continue.

He added: "The families of two men who have been missing since a small fixed wing aircraft went missing on Thursday, June 9 would like to express their thanks to all agencies and in particular all the volunteers who have given up their time to search for their loved ones.

"State of the art sonar equipment and seabed scanning equipment has also been deployed, to ensure that appropriate technical expertise is being utilised to maximise the effectiveness of the overall operation."