MYSTERY surrounds the sighting of low-flying Apache helicopters over East Lancashire yesterday (March 24).

A video shows the two stealthy and extremely loud aircraft – painted jet black – flying at low altitude near Blackburn, with the choppers also spotted further south towards Bolton.

It remains unclear as to where the helicopters headed and what the purpose of the journey was, though residents who witnessed the fly-over were quick to speculate, with some expressing concern.

Amanda Whittle, from Edgworth, said: “It was late afternoon and suddenly I could hear rumbling in the distance.

“It was so loud I thought they were already above and that’s when I saw them coming over the hill.

“I can’t tell you how low they were flying, the video doesn’t really do it justice. It was quite scary, I’ve never seen them painted that way in all black.”

Members of local social media noticeboards quickly started to discuss the sighting, with some concerned that there may be something sinister behind the fly-over.

One said: “I saw them. I got goosebumps all over, as I used to refuel them in the old days.”

Another witness claimed they saw that the Apache’s had ‘gun emplacements’ on each side.

“It was a pair of Apache attack helicopters. Disconcerting,” said another.

flightradar24.com showed an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter flying over Bolton at around 3pm yesterday, which appeared to be heading towards Manchester Airport.