A pilot escaped with only a broken ankle after his aircraft plunged to the ground and landed upside down.

The 21-year-old was trapped for almost 30 minutes as emergency workers battled to rescue him from the crash site near Ringmer.

He emerged from his glider with only minor injuries after being freed by firefighters.

The pilot, returning from a solo flight, was attempting to land at East Sussex Gliding Club's airfield at The Broyle, near Ringmer, when he crashed.

The man, who has not been named, was airlifted to Eastbourne District General Hospital, where he was kept overnight.

He was treated for a broken ankle and minor cuts.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "The plane landed upside down, trapping the pilot.

"We have finished our initial investigations and it is in the hands of the British Gliding Association."

The glider was moved from the scene after the crash on Saturday afternoon. No one else was injured in the incident.

There are more than 10,000 glider pilots in Britain who, between them, make about a million flights each year.

Gliders soar using air currents, much like birds, and have been designed with the kind of aerodynamic efficiency that enables top speeds of up to 170 mph.

Distances of more than 600 miles have been covered in one day in the UK and heights of almost 40,000 feet have been achieved.

John Weddell, chairman of East Sussex Gliding Club, said: "The glider, which was owned by the club, crashed at about 12.30pm just south of the gliding site at Ringmer.

"The pilot was conscious and airlifted to the District General Hospital in Eastbourne.

"We are grateful to emergency services for their swift response.

"An investigation will take place as directed by the relevant authorities, including the British Gliding Association.

"Our thoughts are with the young pilot and his family."