Model plane enthusiasts will need a licence from December to operate machines that fly further than the pilot can see.

The Swiss transport ministry said on Friday that mini-drones can present a danger to aircraft and to persons on the ground.

Remote-controlled machines weighing over 30 kilos already require a licence, but until now smaller ones have been allowed to operate freely anywhere other than near airports.

Mini-drones fitted with cameras and navigational equipment which enable them to fly where the operator cannot see them have been on the market for some time.

swissinfo.ch and agencies

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