The hotline will give locals advance warning of flights

The service, starting on Tuesday, will give information on the expected number of helicopters planning to operate.

It will run during the day on weekdays and later into the evening in the summer months.

The MoD said all flights may be subject to changes. The freephone number is 0800 51 55 44.

Low-flying takes place throughout Scotland, but is more common in the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, north west Scotland, Ayrshire and Grampian.

'Essential skill'

Squadron Leader (ret'd) John Gilbert, the RAF community relations officer for low-flying in Scotland said: "We have always made considerable effort to inform communities in Scotland of when low-flying will take place in their area, and explain the issues involved."

He added: "Low-flying is an essential military skill used most recently by the armed forces during operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"Our air crew need to train regularly to ensure they can maintain these skills, but we do try to keep low-flying to a minimum, using simulators where possible."

Rider's death

The new advisory service follows an MoD review of low-flying training after the death of Lincolnshire woman Heather Bell in June 2003.

An inquest jury found not enough was done to reduce the risk of low-flying military aircraft to the public.

The 38-year-old was thrown from her horse and fatally injured when an RAF Chinook helicopter passed overhead.