Families of victims of the Glasgow Clutha helicopter crash have said they are surprised and upset that a report on the tragedy has been passed to 'interested parties' while relatives remain in the dark.

A draft report about what happened in the police helicopter crash by air accident investigators has been circulated to organisations mentioned in the report including Police Scotland and Bond Air Services, the helicopter's operatives.

Under government guidelines safety authorities are required to send draft conclusions to interested parties, defined as any organisation which may be adversely affected by the report and it's findings.

However relatives who hope the report from the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) will shed light on how and why their loved ones died in the incident on November 29 2013 say they are still waiting for answers.

Mark O'Prey, John McGarrigle, Gary Arthur, Colin Gibson, Robert Jenkins and Samuel McGhee died in the Clutha pub, and another victim Joe Cusker was rescued alive, but died in hospital two weeks later. The three crew of the helicopter, pilot David Traill and police constables Tony Collins and Kirsty Nelis, also died.

Solicitors for the victims families said it was disappointing that those most affected by the incident did not yet have access to the report. Andrew Henderson, a partner with Thompsons Solicitors, said "It's very surprising and upsetting for the victims of this tragedy that they are not going to be given the AAIB report in advance of publication. The AAIB say this is only for interested parties. I think those terribly injured or bereaved have more interest than anyone else."

Louise O'Prey, whose brother Mark died in the aftermath of the crash, said: "It's a year and a half ago now and we've still got no answers."

She told the Sunday Mail: "I've lost faith, to be honest. We keep hearing that there's going to be news and there will be some closure for the families, then nothing happens. The way the whole communication was handled at the start was dreadful. We're no further forward."

An AAIB spokesman said: "this is a draft report and it would be inappropriate to comment until it is final. It has been circulated to 'interested parties' as defined by AAIB regulations an the final report is due in the middle of 2015."

First minister Nicola Sturgeon has criticised the dearth of information and a 'lack of respect' from investigators for those affected by the crash, including families, police and prosecutors.