MILITARY aircraft including a reconnaissance plane and a military helicopter have been spotted circling over St John's in Worcester.

The helicopter which is believed to be a Merlin 'scared the life' out of one driver as it swooped down over the A44 Bromyard Road west of Worcester.

The Ministry of Defence has yet to confirm the nature of the operation but the aircraft is believed to be a Sentinel, used by the RAF for reconnaissance.

The Worcester News also received reports of a helicopter flying low over the A44 Bromyard Road, west of Worcester.

Based on the photographs, the aircraft may be a Merlin HC3 which contains a radar and laser warning receiver, missile approach warners and directional infrared countermeasures equipment. According to the RAF this helicopter can hold 24 fully-equipped combat troops and will convert to carry 16 stretchers.

A witness, who declined to be named, said: "I thought the thing was going to come down on me. It suddenly came up from the south west, banking over the road."

He estimated it was flying at between 200 and 300ft before it moved away towards Powick Hams.

The man, who was driving at the time near Laylocks Garden Centre said: "It scared the life out of me. The helicopter performed a tight turn near the Lower Broadheath junction on the A44. I thought 'my God, it has to pull up soon or it's going to hit me or crash in front of me'."

The information about both aircraft and the nature of the exercise have not been confirmed as yet by the MOD.