The pilot who crashed a jet at the Shoreham Airshow is being investigated for manslaughter, it has been revealed.

Andy Hill, 52, has been told his conduct is also being looked into for endangering lives under strict air navigation laws.

It comes as detectives investigating the disaster will go to the High Court next week to try and get access to cockpit recordings and other material.

They want to review legally protected material including cockpit recorders and footage, expert reports and some documentation following the crash which killed 11 men on August 22 last year.

This information could be used in any possible court case brought against Mr Hill.

Detectives questioned the pilot voluntarily under caution last December.

He survived the crash, was placed in an induced coma and was then released from hospital after a month.

This is the first time details of his pre-Christmas police interview have been revealed.

Eleven men were killed when an ex-military Hawker Hunter jet failed to pull out of a loop manoeuvre during the Shoreham Airshow and crashed on to the A27.

Those who died were: wedding chauffeur Maurice Abrahams, 76, from Brighton; retired engineer James Graham Mallinson, 72 and known as Graham, from Newick, near Lewes; window cleaner and general builder Mark Trussler, 54, from Worthing; cycling friends Dylan Archer, 42, from Brighton, and Richard Smith, 26, from Hove; NHS manager Tony Brightwell, 53, from Hove; grandfather Mark Reeves, 53, from Seaford; Worthing United footballers Matthew Grimstone and Jacob Schilt, both 23; personal trainer Matt Jones, 24; and Daniele Polito, 23, from Worthing.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "A 52-year-old man was notified in December that he is being investigated for possible endangerment pursuant to Article 138 Air Navigation Order 2009 and also manslaughter by gross negligence."

A special bulletin published by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) in March said the air show organisers did not know the intended routine of Mr Hill's plane.

This year's Shoreham Airshow has been cancelled out of respect for victims and their families.