A YELLOW helicopter flying low over parts of Pembrokeshire has turned many a head in recent days, but it is not a cause for concern.

The electricity company Western Power Distribution has five helicopters carrying out patrols over Haverfordwest, Fishguard and St Davids as part of its network inspection.

Each helicopter is manned by a pilot and a trained observer whose job it is to identify any faults on the overhead line – usually caused by general deterioration, vandalism or storm damage from trees and other debris.

Paul Bishop, Western Power Distribution Corporate Communications Manager, said: “Our helicopters are also capable of delivering poles and heavy loads to inaccessible areas, and are fitted with infrared cameras to identify connection hot spots that indicate potential faults which could lead to power interruptions.

“They enable us to undertake regular patrols of the 220,000km of overhead power lines which we are responsible for across South and West Wales, the South West of England and the Midlands – an area where we serve 7.8million customers.”