A ship searching for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane has detected signals "consistent" with aircraft black boxes.

The team hunting for Flight MH370 say it is a "promising lead" in the search, but had yet to get "confirming evidence".

Search co-ordinators stressed it was in very deep water - 4,500 metres - which is at the limit of the equipment being used.

Head of the Australian search team Air Marshal Angus Houston says it will take time:

14 ships are involved in today's search.