CAN anyone explain why a military jet fighter came screaming at low altitude over the south end of Darwen at 10.30pm on July 18?

I didn't see it, but I heard it and it was low and loud and moving very fast.

The following day I asked people if they had heard or seen it. Quite a few had been startled by the sound, with two saying they saw it well below the cloud cover and one adding that 'flame' was visible from the two tail-nozzle afterburners which give thrust and acceleration.

I may be wrong, but I would guess that this was the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft being put through its paces. But whatever it was, those I spoke to felt that it was flying too low over a built-up area. I am of that opinion, too.

Would anyone from the Ministry of Defence or BAE Systems care to comment? No doubt the powers-that-be will have an explanation that will satisfy us all and set our minds at rest.

J LEADLEY, Sandhill Street, Darwen.