THE use of unmanned aircraft often deployed by the military will be trialled by the police force covering Herefordshire.

The Hereford Times has been told West Mercia Police will be trialling the use of drones this month, although specific locations have yet to be announced.

Drones are commonly used by the military to access areas where traditional manned aircraft is likely to be too dangerous or difficult to access.

Some can stay in the air for several hours.

West Mercia, which is in partnership with Warwickshire Police, says chief officers have agreed to the trial but an ethics committee will have to agree "some principles regarding privacy".

"West Mercia Police will be trailing drones in the next few months," said West Mercia Police in a statement.

"This has been agreed by our chief officers, however, this will be subject to the ethics committee agreeing some principles regarding privacy.

"Demonstrations are looking to take place in October, but it has yet to be confirmed where these will take place."

The use of drones has been a topic for debate in Parliament with Prime Minister David Cameron announcing last month that an RAF-operated drone had killed two Britons who were linked to Islamic State in Syria, describing the action as an "act of self defence".

The action, however, has been attacked by Green MP Caroline Lucas and Baroness Jones who have sought a judicial review of UK policy, claiming "targeted killing" is unlawful.

The devices, which range in size, are becoming more commonplace away from military circles.

In June, a drone caused a security scare at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London after a man flew one above the courts.

He had been controlling the device from a nearby golf course.