Trump-copter sighting in Lancashire sparks golf course speculation

And the aircraft's presence has created a fair amount of "fake news" doing the rounds.

The helicopter landed at the Old Stone Trough Hotel in Kelbrook on Monday, with several passengers viewed exiting the craft.

Several onlookers contacting the Lancashire Post speculated whether the visit could mean officials from the US President's Trump International Golf Links company in Scotland are on the lookout for areas to establish courses to add to their stock.

If so, they could have been answering the calls of Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans, who last year said he would prefer a Trump golf course in Lancashire rather than more houses.

Related article: MP writes letter to invite Donald Trump to LancashireHowever, we can confirm that the visit was from a completely un-related private company that had rented the Trump-copter for the day.

A spokesperson for Trump International Golf Links said the aircraft is available for commercial use through a third-party and it was certainly not on official business for the Trump firm on Monday.

Ash Evans, hotel manager at the Old Stone Trough, said: "We have our own heli-pad and are occasionally called by companies asking to use it. They can fly around the area for the view and they come and eat at our restaurant.

"It was another company using it on Monday but the helicopter did have the Trump name on it so I can imagine what people were thinking."