Residents were left baffled when a strange sound was heard across west Dorset late last night.

Some were even woken up by a noise 'like a machine gun' coming from West Bay.

A Royal Navy helicopter, an AgustaWestland AW159 Super Lynx, the British Royal Navy's surveillance and attack helicopter, left RNAS Yeovilton before flying over West Bay.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: The flight path of the navy helicopter as it flew from Yeovilton to West BayThe flight path of the navy helicopter as it flew from Yeovilton to West Bay (Image: Bexchange)

Residents reported hearing ammunition fired off the coast at around midnight.

The area is frequently used for training exercises by the military. 

As the helicopter circled for hours, many took to social media to find answers.

One asked: "Is it normal that there is a helicopter shooting off West Bay?

Another said: "What's going on at West Bay? Sounds like a heavy machine gun or more likely a pneumatic drill."

Bridport resident Tom Robson said: "What I heard last night was a helicopter firing.

"It sounded like a big machine gun, this went on for hours.

"I have been hearing helicopters for the past few weeks.

"I have heard two or three following the same flight plan recently but now they are shooting.

"I was surprised to hear the helicopter firing. It was interesting to hear for sure."

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said: "This was part of a standard training exercise which happens a lot in the area."