Residents say they were kept awake last night by a mystery ‘humming’ noise which went on for a number of hours. 
 
One told the News it sounded ‘intense’ when they heard it between 11pm and midnight.

Many took to social media to share their experience and to try to identify the cause. 

A Royal Navy helicopter was training over west Dorset last night. 

The AgustaWestland AW-159 Super Lynx helicopter took off from Yeovil and flew over Sherborne before heading south to the Weymouth and Portland area.

It is believed the helicopter was performing training exercises out at sea just off the coast of Chesil Beach.

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The ‘humming’ noise could be heard in Beaminster, Mosterton and as far as Chard, with many left wondering what the ‘strange’ sound was.

One resident said: "I keep hearing a low droning sound all night.

"It is like a low hum, like an aeroplane or generator noise, but it is there all the time, even in the early hours".

According to the flight details, the helicopter departed Yeovil at 7.22pm and landed at 9.09pm before taking off again at 9.37pm, landing at 11.22pm and headed back in Yeovil just before midnight

The multi-role AW159 has tactical capabilities through advanced avionics and mission systems in a compact and robust aircraft.

It is an evolution of the highly successful Lynx helicopter.

An investigation is still underway into what caused a Royal Navy helicopter to ditch in the Channel during a night-flying exercise last week, resulting in the death of a member of Navy personnel.

The Merlin helicopter crashed off the coast of Dorset on Wednesday night during the training exercise with the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, according to the Royal Navy.

The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for more information.