Memorial service for helicopter crash dead

The Sikorsky S-76A crashed in the North Sea

A memorial service is to be held for the families, friends and colleagues of the men who died when a helicopter crashed into the North Sea.

The service will be at Norwich Cathedral on 23 August, a Shell UK Exploration and Production spokeswoman said.

All 11 people on board the Sikorsky S-76A died in the crash 28 miles from Cromer, Norfolk, on 16 July.

The service will be presided over by the Right Rev Graham James, Bishop of Norwich.

The service will be at Norwich Cathedral

Senior directors from the companies which employed the people who died in the crash will give readings at the service.

The helicopter was owned by Norwich-based Bristows and was ferrying workers between installations in a Shell gas field when it crashed.

Money from a collection during the service will be donated to charities nominated by families of those who died.

A report into the crash said the helicopter had a "manufacturing anomaly" which could have led to fatigue and was built into one of the aircraft's main rotor blades which fractured in the crash.

The problem was made worse by a lightning strike that damaged the blade's titanium spar in 1999, said the report.