Two Super Puma helicopters were at the centre of safety fears while flying over the North Sea.

The two Bond-operated L2 models were on their way to separate oil rigs when the incidents happened.

Passengers became concerned when they heard unusual noises shortly after leaving Aberdeen Airport yesterday morning.

A Bond Offshore Helicopters spokesman said: "The helicopters were in the air at the same time on different missions. One was heading for the Miller platform and the other was heading for the Borgholm Dolphin drilling rig. Passengers thought they heard strange noises. The helicopters were returned to base. They were fully inspected and nothing was found to be wrong."

The EC225 Super Puma model has been grounded since one ditched off the coast of Shetland last month.