Skirts and dresses banned from offshore helicopter flights

The new rules are designed to improve the chances of survival if a helicopter ditches in the sea

Women travelling to and from offshore oil and gas installations are now banned from wearing skirts and dresses as part of new safety measures.

Passengers will also have to wear three layers of clothing under their survival suits in winter, and two in summer.

The standardised clothing policy is designed to improve the chance of survival for workers if helicopters have to ditch into the sea.

Shorts, hoodies, high-heels and sandals have also been banned.

The offshore helicopter industry has been trying to improve safety since four people died when a helicopter ditched off Shetland in August last year.

The offshore union the RMT said it welcomed the new rules because they created clarity for those working in the industry.