A MAN who died when the helicopter he was flying crashed into farmland was named by police.

Businessman Tony Sullivan, 69, from Woodford, near Stockport, was known as an experienced engineer and helicopter pilot.

His aircraft crashed into farmland near Adlington, east Cheshire, shortly after 3.30pm yesterday.

An investigation into the cause has been launched by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

Cheshire Police said Mr Sullivan was well-known in local business circles and also as a tireless charity worker.

In addition to being a trustee of Cliff College, an Evangelical Bible college in Derbyshire, he established a men's Christian group, meeting regularly at the Deanwater Hotel in Woodford.

A statement issued by Cheshire Police on behalf of his family, said he leaves behind his "beloved" wife, Gerry, and four children, Paul, Clare, Charlie and Camilla.