The search for a teacher who took off in his aircraft after being quizzed over child pornography allegations has been called off.

Air crash investigators suspect Gerry Mepham may have died crashing his plane into the sea.

Mr Mepham, from Elm Grove, Barnham, near Bognor, disappeared last Friday after taking off in his Piper Tomahawk aircraft from Goodwood airfield near Chichester.

Sussex Police were last night informed the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) had called off its search.

Inspector Brian Bracher from Sussex Police said: "AAIB investigators said they believe it is unlikely any crash was the result of an aircraft malfunction."

The AAIB will provide a report, which will include the location the plane may have hit the sea.

Mr Bracher said: "This is still likely to be a large area, making any search very difficult.

"Once we have the AAIB report we will be in a position to make a full review.

"There is still no direct evidence Mr Mepham's plane has crashed and we are still treating this as a missing person inquiry."

Mr Mepham's plane was believed to have half a tank of fuel when it took off, giving it a maximum range of 200 miles.

It is not believed to have had life-saving equipment on board.

Checks have been made with airports in northern France.

Mr Mepham was an experienced pilot and had owned the Tomahawk for several years but he was not trained or qualified in night or low flying.

Police searched the shoreline around Selsey, near Chichester, but there was no trace of wreckage.

Mr Mepham was facing allegations of offering two pupils cash for posing for photographs. He had been suspended from Priory School in Portsmouth.