IT was a good way for five-year-old James Black to let off steam after a hard day in the classroom!

James loved nothing more than bouncing on his trampoline in the garden of his Milnsbridge home after lessons at Crow Lane Junior Infant and Nursery School in Milnsbridge.

But the down draught from a low-flying RAF Sea King helicopter has ended his daily fun.

Following a dramatic helicopter search in the Colne Valley for two men who had reportedly plunged into the swollen River Colne at Linthwaite, James’ trampoline has lost its bounce.

The four-foot wide £80 trampoline was catapulted across the garden and badly damaged when the RAF Sea King helicopter flew low over the family’s home on Sunday evening.

His mum Joy Black, of George Street, said: “He was just in floods of tears when he found out what had happened.

“The helicopter came so low over the house I thought it would take the roof off. It blew the trampoline straight across the garden and damaged two of the poles.

“He spends half his life on that trampoline.

“I’m really cross that those two silly idiots sparked this search when they were just sat at home.

“While I understand it could have been a genuine case, it’s not fair on poor James that he can’t use his trampoline anymore.”

As reported in yesterday’s Examiner, the Sea King helicopter and West Yorkshire Police helicopter were both used during the search for two burglars who were disturbed after trying to break into a Linthwaite business.

A massive police, fire and search rescue was mounted for the two after they were seen to jump into the River Colne. But one of the offenders later phoned police to say they were both safe after an operation costing thousands of pounds.

The RAF helicopter came from Leconfield near Beverley.

A spokesman from the Search and Rescue helicopter service apologised for the incident. He provided an address for Mrs Black to write to giving details of her claim for the trampoline.

And while the Black family have a serious case, it will take its place in a list of unusual insurance claims.

Here’s what others have claimed to their insurance company:

Coming home I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I don’t have

The other car collided with mine without giving me warning of its intention

I thought my window was down, but I found it was up when I put my head through it

I collided with a stationary truck coming the other way

The guy was all over the road. I had to swerve several times before I hit him

I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law and headed over the embankment

In an attempt to kill a fly, I drove into a telephone pole

I had been shopping for a plant all day and was on my way home. As I reached an inter-section a hedge sprang up, obscuring my vision and I did not see the other car

I had been driving for 40 years when I fell asleep at the wheel and had an accident.