Some oil workers say they are too afraid to fly offshore in Super Puma helicopters after the aircraft was given clearance to return to the skies following a series of crashes.

They were grounded in the wake of a helicopter crash in Norway last year, the third fatal accident involving a Super Puma in the North Sea since 2009.

Among the 13 killed was Iain Stuart, an oil worker from Laurencekirk in Aberdeenshire.

Plans have now been outlined to allow the helicopters to eventually return to service, despite nine in ten offshore workers being against such a move.

John McColl, head of airworthiness at the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said the decision had not been taken lightly.

"It has only been made after receiving extensive information from the Norwegian accident investigators and being satisfied with the subsequent changes introduced by Airbus Helicopters through detailed assessment and analysis," he said.