IS it a bird? is it a plane? no its an Apache helicopter!

worried Epping residents have been reporting military aircraft flying low over the town for the past two weeks.

An MOD spokesman confirmed that far from being on the brink of invasion, Epping was on the flightpath for Apaches heading to Salisbury Plain for military exercises.

The distinctive black helicopters have been spotted over the Copped Hall Estate flying two by two.

They are usually based at Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk.

Captain Jim Crompton of the 16 Air Assault Brigade confirmed the sightings.

He said: “There were Apaches flying over Epping recently, they’re heading towards Salisbury plain for pre-deployment exercises, for troops heading to Afghanistan.

It is also a chance for trainee pilots to test their skills, they have been flying two at a time and there will be more in the coming weeks.”

Eagle-eyed residents can try spotting the Apaches WAH-64s once a day on their fly-by - but it may be a fleeting glimpse, as their top speed is 227 MPH.

Have you spotted an Apache? send your pictures to ijensen@london.newsquest.co.uk