A British military transport plane has crashed north-west of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

Military sources have said as many as 15 British military servicemen died in the crash.

If confirmed, it would be the biggest single loss of life suffered by British forces in Iraq.

The Defence Ministry in London said it was investigating what caused the C-130 Hercules plane to come down without giving any details.

US President George W. Bush said that American military personnel had also been on board.