Janie Thompson, who runs Thornham Deli, has been focus of complaints about so-called 'chopper shoppers' who visit the store and restaurant by aircraft, landing in a next door field.

Locals in the village say they are being disturbed by the noise and downwash of the helicopters as they arrive and depart and have persuaded the parish council to investigate.

But Ms Thompson said villagers had better things to complain about, such as builders' vans parking on narrow roads through Thornham and the noise from military aircraft training overhead.

Seven helicopters landed for breakfast at Thornham Deli earlier this month(Image: Supplied)

"I'm astounded that our helicopters have caused such a stir," she added. "We love having them here, we love welcoming people, people from afar and locals.

"We do a lot for our locals. I'm sorry if it upsets a few people but I'm really encouraged by all the positive comments and encouragement we've been given as a business because we do try hard.

"If people knew me they'd know how hard I work and what we've done for the local community.

"We stayed open all through Covid for the locals. We love our locals and they love us, we're on first name terms with so many of them."

She said a recent Saturday when a total of seven helicopters had visited had been an exception, although another helicopter did land last weekend, as the row was starting to spiral.

Thornham Deli boss Janie Thompson(Image: Chris Bishop)

"They're not celebs, they're just like a group of men who'd come by motorbikes for breakfast, lunch or something, except them come by helicopter," she said of her fly-in customers.

She said in the current climate, with rises in national Insurance making it more expensive to........

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