Tributes have poured in for a much-loved helicopter pilot who was killed in a horror air crash after his helicopter collided with a light aircraft near Waddesdon on Friday.

Captain Michael Green's colleagues have paid tribute to him, saying he was a was a "mentor" with a "distinguished" career.

Mr Green was a senior instructor with Helicopter Services, based at Wycombe Air Park, in Booker.

The company said on Facebook: "We are devastated to confirm that Captain Mike Green was involved in the mid-air collision which occurred yesterday.

"Mike was conducting a flight instructor course and was with a student at the time of the incident. Both pilots lost their lives.

"We have received many messages of support and kind words about our friend who, as a senior instructor and examiner, helped and mentored so many pilots throughout the industry during his distinguished career.

"It was an honour to work with you. Captain Green, you will be greatly missed."

The crash happened at 12.06pm in Upper Winchendon, with police confirming yesterday that all the victims were men and their next of kin had been informed.

Captain Phil Croucher, 65, who had known Captain Green, thought to be around 60, for around 20 years after they had served in the Army together, told the Press Association his death was a "sad loss".

He said: "We have lost somebody with a vast amount of experience that could have been passed on to younger people, apart from him being a nice guy generally.

"I used to see him, I popped in on Wednesday when I was passing and had a cup of tea. He was always there before anybody else.

"All of a sudden he's not there.

"He's gone through no fault of his own and everyone's lost a good friend and mentor."