AN offshore helicopter was forced to turn back mid-flight after a warning light came on in the cockpit.

The Airbus EC225 was taking 17 passengers to a North Sea platform when the two crew noticed the caution light yesterday.

The pilot turned back to Aberdeen Airport and the Bristow-operated Super Puma aircraft made a safe landing at around 10.30am.

A spokeswoman for Bristow Helicopters said: "The aircraft is currently undergoing checks in accordance with standard maintenance procedures and expected to be released to service as soon as this is completed.

An EC225 Super Puma ditched into the North Sea near a BP installation on February 18, 2009, with 16 passengers and two crew on board. The incident was later blamed on pilot error and a faulty alert system. All the men were plucked to safety following a major rescue operation.