Max: 4

Min: 0

Wind: 17

A SIGHTING of mysterious 'saucer-shaped' lights in the sky above Staincross is being investigated by the national Unknown Phenomena Investigation Association.

Neil Featherstone, 41, of Windhill Crescent, took video footage of what he called 'UFOs' last Sunday night at about 9.40.

He said the three shapes, which moved silently across the sky, appeared to unlock his Dad's car. He said: "The keys were locked in the car, we were going to phone the AA, but then just like that it was open again. I've just never seen owt like it. I just can't reckon it at all. It's so weird."

Paranormal investigator Kirst D'Raven, who works for the UPIA, said she had classified the sightings as 'lights in the sky' rather than UFOs, and she had launched a full investigation. "It's definitely a lot more interesting because we've had so many Chinese lanterns over the summer.

Kirst said one possible explanation of this sort of sighting is the 'full-beam' headlights from a car driving uphill reflecting off clouds.

Her investigation will include detailed study of the layout of the area in relation to the sighting to see if it could have been headlights, or a searchlight or a laser from somewhere.

She will also speak to police to track where the police helicopter was that night and find out what the weather was like to see if it could have been lightning above the cloud - lightning does not always create thunder.

She will also look at any astronomical activity which may have been visible that night.