Helicopter patrols today began to monitor overhead power lines in North Yorkshire.

NEDL, the electricity network operator for the county, will be using two helicopters to check the integrity of its 13,000 kilometres of high voltage power lines and other overhead equipment.

NEDL said helicopters provided the quickest and most cost-effective way to inspect overhead networks and located most equipment defects earlier when compared with the alternative method of foot patrols.

This also enabled identification of any other issues that may place the reliability or safety of the network at risk, such as tree growth requiring trimming to maintain adequate clearance.