TOP Gear stars Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond had a lucky escape when a helicopter they were in was hit by a seagull just after take-off.

They were 120m over Auckland Harbour in New Zealand on Friday when the bird flew into a rotor blade.

The pilot was forced to make an emergency landing at a nearby helipad in the French-built Squirrel helicopter.

After the aircraft was checked over, Clarkson, 48, and Hammond, 39, continued their sightseeing trip with the four other passengers.

The pair are on tour with a live Top Gear stage show, which is due to come to Australia.