A US AIR Force helicopter has crashed in eastern England with four crew on board believed to have died.

Norfolk police say that the crash took place at about 7pm this evening at a quiet part of the Salthouse area on the north Norfolk coast.

The helicopter has been confirmed as a USAF Pave Hawk HH60 helicopter based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk and four occupants are thought to have died in the crash according to police.

It is not believed that anyone in the surrounding area has been injured but a 400m cordon has been put in place around the crash site.

Police say that this cordon is standard for this type of incident but that an assessment is being carried out on the munitions which may be on the aircraft. Military advice is also being taken on the possible munitions on board.

Emergency services remain at the scene and police are expected to hold a press conference later tonight.

The Pave Hawk aircraft is an updated version of the US Black Hawk military helicopter and usually carries four crew members.