Up to 12 jobs are at risk at Bristow Helicopters as the effects of the depressed oil and gas industry continue to bite.

The company has said the positions under threat will be split between its Norwich and Shetland bases but would not specify numbers at each as consultation is under way.

Bristow Helicopters works with energy industry clients, transporting rig and offshore workers from Norwich Airport to bases in the North Sea, and has felt the impact of continued low energy prices, which has led to cost-cutting in the industry.

A spokesman for Bristow Helicopters said: 'Due to our clients' reduced activity levels in oil and gas, brought about by the ongoing downturn, a reduction of up to 12 pilot positions operating out of our Shetland and Norwich bases is being considered.

'We are in early consultations with [the union] BALPA and are keen to mitigate the effect of these reductions – with the hope that we can avoid the need for any redundancies. These options include potential reduced hours and part-time working, as well as voluntary severance.

'We will over the coming weeks meet with all of our team members and continue dialogue with the union, to discuss the options available.'

Mick Brade, national officer at the pilots union Balpa, said: 'The UK helicopter community has had to endure round after round of redundancies in the last few years.

'This latest announcement by Bristow Helicopters of the loss of eight pilots in Shetland and four in Norwich is another terrible blow.

'Balpa is doing all it can to save as many jobs as possible and to protect the people for whom this is a personal tragedy.

'Balps representatives have already begun a period of consultation with the company. We have been able to agree to explore options for part time working that could reduce the need to let people go, and to seek volunteers for redundancy.

'We are focusing on supporting the Bristow helicopter community, protecting as many jobs as possible and working to ensure flight safety is not jeopardised.'