Scilly Helicopter to take last flight tonight

The curtain is due to fall on five decades of a helicopter service linking the Cornish mainland with Scilly as the final commercial flight with British International Helicopters (BIH) leaves the islands.

BIH announced in August plans to close its domestic helicopter passenger route between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly, from November 1.

The company said the decision was made due to a drop in passenger numbers and commercial reasons. Around 50 people have been made redundant as a result of the closure.

It means the archipelago will be left with Skybus plane flights six days a week, and the seasonal Scillonian ferry service - both run by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group.

Some residents described the move as "a kick in the teeth", while others voiced concerns that Steamship Group would take advantage of the monopoly on access to Scilly by hiking up prices.

The final BIH flight from Penzance will leave for Scilly at 5.05pm on today, returning to the Cornish mainland from the islands at 5.50pm.

Watch the full report by Duncan Sleightholme here: