There was no immediate word on casualties, but the RAF plane's wreckage was scattered over a large area, according to reports.

The C-130 Hercules, en route from Baghdad to the city of Balad, crashed about 40 kilometres (25 miles) north west of Baghdad, say US officials.

The incident was reported at 1725 local time (1425 GMT).

Helicopters are at the scene and have observed the wreckage.

'Workhorse'

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said of the crash: "It has just happened and it is one of ours."

The US-built troop carrier is used by both British and US forces and is capable of transporting around 50 soldiers.

British military chiefs have used the plane as a 'workhorse' to transport troops, fuel, ammunition and humanitarian relief.

It is the favoured aircraft of special forces (SAS) and is regarded as being especially of use in Iraq for its ability to land in desert conditions.

Hercules planes have an excellent safety record, according to Paul Beaver of Jane's Defence Weekly.

An RAF Hercules crashed in Albania in 199 because the load was not properly strapped down, he added.

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