LOW-FLYING aircraft led to sleepless nights in Trowbridge and Hilperton early on Tuesday morning.

Crews from RAF Brize Norton flew more than 15 flights in a C-17 Globemaster over the town on the way to Keevil airfield.

But many residents complained the planes were flying dangerously low and kept people awake between 1 and 2am.

Tanya Robinson, of Trowbridge, said: "The first one that flew over was so low it was unbelievable, I have never heard anything like it we were expecting to hear a loud bang."

Peter Collins, of Hilperton, said: "As most people were sleeping with their windows open because of the hot sticky weather, they all had a poor night's sleep unless they were stone deaf."

The flights were designed to help pilots train for nightly flights in Afghanistan and Iraq.

David Rowe, press officer at Brize Norton, said: "We have received a number of complaints and apologise to people who could not sleep but these exercises are vital for crews training for action.

"Normally the flight path to Keevil doesn't go over the town."

RAF Brize Norton plans to hold further night-time training flights in August.