Update 4.30pm: A major search for a microlight that disappeared on a flight from Northern Ireland to Scotland resumed earlier this afternoon.

James Instance, duty controller with UK Coastguard, said: “The weather has caused problems for the search operation. However, we have drawn up an extensive search and rescue plan which will be put into action today.

Earlier:

A large search will resume once fog clears off the coast of Northern Ireland for a missing microlight aircraft with two people on board.

It is understood it took off from the City of Derry yesterday morning, heading for Scotland.

A major air and sea search was launched on Thursday evening when the light aircraft was reported overdue, and continued to 3am on Friday, when it was suspended due to fog.

The flight took off from the City of Derry airport and had been tracking towards Stranraer.

The Irish Coastguard helicopter based at Dublin and the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Prestwick searched from the air, while Coastguard and RNLI lifeboats from Scotland and Northern Ireland were involved in the operation in the North Channel.

The search will resume once foggy conditions clear.

The Northern Ireland North West Mountain Rescue Team will join the search on Friday.

Ryan Gray, senior maritime operations officer at the UK Coastguard, said: “UK Coastguard has also issued a Mayday relay broadcast in the area and several merchant shipping vessels have responded and are keeping a lookout for this aircraft. We may send further resources as the search widens.”

The PSNI and Police Scotland have been informed.