Walkers out enjoying the bluebells and countryside on a riverside walk were amazed when a military ‘Wokka’ chopper put down right beside them.

The incident upstream of Bigsweir Bridge was filmed by St Briavels yoga teacher Carolyn Thomas last week while out passing the field in her car.

“It’s not every day a Chinook lands by Bigsweir Bridge. Just had to stop and video. It was stunningly graceful for such a huge thing,” she posted.

Several people posted that they had seen a Chinook flying over Ross-on-Wye earlier in the day.

The SAS bases at Pontrilas and Credenhill are nearby, and some people say they have noticed an increase in airborne military activity in the area recently, perhaps linked to the Ukraine crisis.

The Wye Valley is a frequent flight zone for military pilots using its contours to test their low level flying skills, with Hercules carrier planes and choppers regularly spotted overhead though.

Chinooks are able to carry up to 55 troops or 10 tonnes of freight, and are used in war zones to deliver soldiers and supplies or to evacuate casualties.

To view the footage go to www.facebook.com/carolyn.thomas.180

Chinook pic Carolyn Thomas