FEARS are growing that SAS personnel based in Hereford were among those killed in an air force plane crash in Iraq.

This morning an Iraqi militant group claimed responsibility for bringing down an RAF Hercules which crashed killing up to 15 troops.

Officials at the Ministry of Defence would not comment today on the claim posted on a website by the Ansar al-Islam group.

The statement said fighters had tracked the aircraft "which was flying at a low altitude, and fired an anti-tank missile at it".

A search for survivors was under way today following the crash of the transport plane in the desert about 25 miles north of Baghdad.

The identity of the casualties, and exactly how many of them were killed, have not been confirmed by the Ministry of Defence, but the death toll is thought to be between nine and 15.

Officials were also refusing to comment on suggestions that the plane was brought down by a missile.

The SAS are based at Credenhill near Hereford. For obvious security reasons, details about their operations in Iraq are cloaked in secrecy, but it is known that the C-130 Hercules, based at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire, is its preferred aircraft.

If the death toll is confirmed as nine or more, the tragedy will be the biggest single loss of life since March 21, 2003, when eight British troops died as the US helicopter they were in crashed.

A military source said the figure was "around 10", and "highly unlikely" to be more than 15.

No further details have been provided as next of kin are still being informed.

Prime Minister Tony Blair announced the deaths without specifying numbers and paid tribute to those who had been killed.

The aircraft was en route from Baghdad to the city of Balad when it came down north of the capital at 4.40pm local time (1.40pm GMT) yesterday.

It is still not known whether those on board were all crew or passengers and whether the aircraft was carrying equipment or troops.

A sombre Mr Blair told a Press conference yesterday that the British people were "yet again" reminded of the sacrifices that the armed forces made on behalf of their country and the "extraordinary" job they did.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives earlier today.

"They can be so proud of what their loved ones accomplished. This country and the wider world will never forget them."

The MoD released a phone number for all concerned relatives to call on 08457 800900.