A load sensing system for sensing a load on a structure, comprising: an optical load sensing element (101, 201) configured to change an optical state based on a force applied thereto; an optical source operatively connected to the optical load sensing element and configured to input an input optical signal to the optical load element; and an optical detector configured to receive a returned optical signal from the optical load sensing element, wherein the optical detector is configured to detect one or more frequency peaks of the returned optical signal and to use the one or more frequency peaks of the returned optical signal to correlate to a load value of the load and output the load value indicative of the load; wherein the optical load sensing element is a Fabry Perot load sensor having at least a first reflector and a second reflector, each reflector parallel and/or coaxially disposed and spaced to form a cavity therebetween; wherein at least one of the first reflector and the second reflector are moveable relative to each other such that a cavity distance between the first reflector and the second reflector is related to the load, wherein the one or more frequency peaks correlate to one or more wavelengths of the returned optical signal which correlate to the cavity distance; and wherein the optical load sensing element (101, 201) comprises a first structure portion and a second structure portion, wherein one of the first reflector and the second reflector is attached to the first structure portion, wherein the second reflector is attached to the second structure portion configured to move and/or flex relative the first structure due to the load; and the system characterised in that the first structure portion includes a threaded receiver, wherein the second structure portion includes a threaded member meshed with the threaded receiver to place the second reflector relative to the first reflector and to define the cavity, wherein threads of the threaded receiver and threaded member are configured to flex due to the load applied axially to one or both of the threaded member and/or the threaded receiver. an optical load sensing element (101, 201) configured to change an optical state based on a force applied thereto; an optical source operatively connected to the optical load sensing element and configured to input an input optical signal to the optical load element; and an optical detector configured to receive a returned optical signal from the optical load sensing element, wherein the optical detector is configured to detect one or more frequency peaks of the returned optical signal and to use the one or more frequency peaks of the returned optical signal to correlate to a load value of the load and output the load value indicative of the load; wherein the optical load sensing element is a Fabry Perot load sensor having at least a first reflector and a second reflector, each reflector parallel and/or coaxially disposed and spaced to form a cavity therebetween; wherein at least one of the first reflector and the second reflector are moveable relative to each other such that a cavity distance between the first reflector and the second reflector is related to the load, wherein the one or more frequency peaks correlate to one or more wavelengths of the returned optical signal which correlate to the cavity distance; and wherein the optical load sensing element (101, 201) comprises a first structure portion and a second structure portion, wherein one of the first reflector and the second reflector is attached to the first structure portion, wherein the second reflector is attached to the second structure portion configured to move and/or flex relative the first structure due to the load; and the system characterised in that the first structure portion includes a threaded receiver, wherein the second structure portion includes a threaded member meshed with the threaded receiver to place the second reflector relative to the first reflector and to define the cavity, wherein threads of the threaded receiver and threaded member are configured to flex due to the load applied axially to one or both of the threaded member and/or the threaded receiver.