RESIDENTS along East Lothian’s coastline were startled by low-flying aircraft on a military training exercise late last night.

Aircraft were spotted in the sky above Port Seton, Aberlady, Gullane and North Berwick between 11pm yesterday (Wednesday) and into the early hours of this morning (Thursday).

The training exercise, named Chameleon, is set to run until March 19, with the times listed as between 7am and 5am.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) told the Courier it was an “essential” training event.

He said: “There will be routine military day and night training involving helicopter and tactical air transport in various parts of the UK over the period February 23 to March 19, these essential operational training events being designed to ensure that a variety of armed forces personnel continue to be ready for global operations.”

The low-flying aircraft were also highlighted on social media.

Jane Wilson said: “Woke me up around 5am. Thought they were going to come through the roof.”

Ayla Sibbald said: “Been awoken by the sound of helicopters multiple times through 2-4.20am, friends have said they heard them in both NB and Aberlady. Anybody know anything? Hope all is alright!”