Two military helicopters were spotted flying over Darwen and other parts of East Lancashire earlier this week and we have discovered why.

Posting in a Facebook group, Anthony Slack took a video of the helicopters flying over Darwen on Tuesday (April 25).

The aircrafts were also spotted over the Ribble Valley and wider parts of Lancashire.

Dozens of people took to social media to speculate why the helicopters were flying over the county.

The helicopters were actually part of the Royal Navy and were heading further north to take part in routine training.

They were Merlin Mk4 helicopters from the Commando Helicopter Force, based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset.

They were heading to Scotland to support the Royal Marines with their training.

Merlin Mk4 is a new aircraft type that was introduced to the Commando Helicopter Force earlier this year

The aircraft modifications include new cockpit avionics, a folding main rotor head and folding tail which makes it easier for the helicopters to be used at sea.

Within their new role the aircraft are now required to operate from ships and are often used to help Royal Marines with training.

It is not the first time military aircraft has been spotted across Lancashire.

It is a hotspot for chinook helicopters, which have been spotted in 2021 and 2022.