This is the bizarre moment a large and unlit helicopter was spotted hovering at a low level in Shropshire town. Concerned onlookers scrambled to film the aircraft as it caused 'buildings to shake'.

The image was captured near Pride Hill, Shrewsbury, at around 9.30pm on Tuesday, September 12. One restaurant worker said it looked like "some sort of special mission" was taking place, adding that it "looked like it was heading for a crash at one point".

The strange scenes led to much speculation about what the chopper was doing. West Mercia Police denied involvement but nearby RAF Shawbury later confirmed it was a training exercise.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly bosses snub star over 'fears age gap would make fans uncomfortable'

A spokesperson said: "There was training exercise over Shrewsbury - the airspace requirements were correctly advised. As RAF Shawbury were not involved we are unable to comment further."

Abdul Husen, 44, who filmed the video, was working in the nearby Cafe Saffron at the time. He said: "I was at the restaurant on the third floor, all the windows were shaking at the back.

"I thought 'What the heck's going on?' The helicopters were circling below roof level. I'm sure there were two. Everybody said there were two. I could see one but heard two.

"I ran up the road as it was flying up the roads of Shrewsbury through the buildings. At one point it looked like it was going to crash, it was unlit and in complete darkness."

He continued: "It flew in low under the radar they took some packages, they dropped something off on one of the buildings and then left at low level. It looked like some sort of special mission and there were loads of civilians about."

The self-confessed aviation enthusiast said when the thunderous vibrations of the chopper shook Cafe Saffron - where he's worked for 23 years - he knew "exactly what was happening." "Nothing ever happens in Shrewsbury," he said. "This was like Christmas for me."