An investigation into safety procedures at Shoreham airport has been demanded following a series of forced landings.

The call comes after the fourth incident in as many months involving aircraft on their way to the airport.

Pilot Tim Bailey, who flies Virgin Atlantic 747s, escaped serious injury after a light aircraft he was testing suffered engine failure.

It crashed into the sea just 50 yards from packed beaches and a children's playground at Hove Lagoon on Thursday.

Mr Bailey, 43, from Hurstpierpoint, escaped with a sprained ankle and minor injuries.

The number of incidents has alarmed Hove MP Ivor Caplin, who has called for the investigation into flight paths to the airport.

On April 2, a Piper Seneca landed on a house in West Street, Shoreham, after its engines cut out.

On May 8, a PA28 Cherokee landed on a beach at Lancing when its engine died.

On July 1, an aerobatic biplane based at Shoreham made an emergency landing in a field at Barcombe, near Lewes, after it lost its propeller while returning from an airshow in Lincoln.

Mr Caplin said: "I think the airport needs to hold an investigation into safety issues and particularly to look at the use of flight paths over such densely populated areas."

Adur councillor Tony King, whose ward includes the airport, also called for an inquiry.

He said: "There definitely needs to be an investigation to see if there was anything linking these four crashes.

"I understand the latest crash involved a pilot taking a plane out on an airworthiness test flight.

"What was he doing flying anywhere near crowded beaches?

"Test flights like this should be carried out well away from public areas."

However, Lancing Parish Council member Sharon Wood said: "We were very concerned about safety and recently wrote to them. We received a full reply explaining what safety measures are in place.

"We are happy the airport is doing everything it can on safety."

Councillor Mike Middleton, chairman of the airport committee, said he was satisfied with safety measures in place.

He said: "We have to put things in perspective. There are 70,000 aircraft movements a year at Shoreham. Four of those have come to grief in four months.

"The pilots were very experienced and acted as they had been trained to."