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The plane came down after suffering reported engine failure off the south Kent coast.

The man was said to have been stranded on the plane's wing for about an hour waiting to be picked up.

A Dover Coastguard spokesman said: "At 3pm this afternoon we received a call from Lydd Airport air traffic control reporting a light aircraft with engine failure eight miles south east of Lydd.

"At the same time a south-west bound vessel in the Dover Strait reported a light aircraft ditching in the vicinity.

"The vessel immediately went to give assistance as did another vessel.

"The pilot was rescued from the wreckage by the vessel Dutch Faith.

"The casualty was transferred to the Dungeness lifeboat and transported by a rescue helicopter to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford with slight injuries."

The pilot who was suffering from slight hypothermia was found floating in the water wearing a yellow life jacket.

A Dover Coastguard spokesman added: "It would appear he landed the plane and got out. He was wearing a life jacket which is a sensible precaution if flying over water.

"The jacket enabled him to be spotted along with the good weather conditions, everything was in his favour."