Of the 130 ballot papers that were issued to Babcock MCS Onshore employees, 84 were returned and they all voted yes (65 per cent). There were no votes against.

The result means Prospect will now be able to conduct collective bargaining negotiations with the company, which specialises in providing helicopter services to  the police and air ambulance services.

John Stevenson will be Prospect’s nominated full-time negotiations officer for the new bargaining unit.

Stevenson said: “For recognition to be successful and to achieve the outcomes that members have identified then local representatives are required. Training for all representatives will be provided by Prospect, support will also be given from Prospect's research, legal, pension and health & safety departments.”

In the next step of the process, the Central Arbitration Committee has set a deadline of 16 October for Prospect and Babcock MCS Onshore to reach an agreement on the method by which collective bargaining will be conducted.