A dramatic display of bright lights in the West Midlands which prompted local fears of a UFO invasion has been revealed as a bit of child's play.
The mystery objects were identified as a cluster of cheap flying lanterns.
They had been released into the night sky last night during a children's carol service at a nearby primary school in Halesowen.
Stunned residents were left mystified after seeing the silent night interrupted by a "long string of lights" travelling across the sky.
The bemused locals contacted local UFO enthusiasts - who were convinced the sightings among the stars in the bright sky were genuine.
Resident Steven Randall, of Hunnington, Halesowen, was alerted by a neighbour at around 7.45pm.
He told Sky News Online he saw "very, very bright lights".
Mr Randall said locals were used to flights travelling to the nearby Birmingham airport.
But he said the lights were moving "in the opposite direction to the way the planes come ... and more quickly".
Having ruled out birds and planes, Mr Randall contacted Midlands-based UFO enthusiasts - who were far from surprised by the other-worldly sight.
"They said these things are seen on a regular basis and usually follow the paths of motorways," he said.
But a deeper probe into the origin of objects identified them as dozens of 'magical' Night Glow Flying Lanterns.
They had been let off by children celebrating carols by torchlight at nearby Lutley Primary School in Brookwillow Road.
As planned, between 50 and 70 glowing lanterns shone brightly in the sky for approximately 20 minutes, until their fuel ran out and flames extinguished.
Unfortunately for the extraterrestrial believers, these flying objects then gently floated back to where they were came from - planet earth.
Comment: The problem with the flying lantern scenario is that it completely ignores the
accounts of witnesses:
Each object was encircled with lights and had lights in the middle, according to witness Steven Randall who lives in Halesowen with is wife and three children.
He said: "This was incredible and so spectacular. The lights seem to climb into the sky to the north of us, just before 8pm last night.
"A neighbour had shouted for us to come and look. There were so many objects. From a distance they looked like bubbles rising in a fizzy drink.
"Then they came towards us and flew right over the top. Some were so close they were almost touching and were only a hundred feet or so above us.
"The objects were absolutely silent and travelling at probably twice the speed of a normal aircraft.
"They were all circular and had 13 to 15 lights around the rim. Each had lights in the centre which were flashing on and off. They went south at a terrific speed."
We have heard the 'lanterns' story quite a few times in the recent months. For anyone who has invested a little time in researching the subject of UFOs and government cover-ups, such an explanation is an insult to the public's intelligence.
It would be interesting to know what direction the wind was blowing this particular evening if any wind at all.
The school is named and thus a times must be easily available to compare with the sightings.
Very important I think.If times are nowhere near each other it can tossed right back at those promoting the lantern reason.
The only thing in the story that maybe could indicate that they may have been lanterns would be that they were described as rising like fizzy bubbles.Never seen one of these lanterns in action so im only seeing them rise in this manner in my imagination.
Its the first time that I have heard UFOs described in this manner.
Heres a description/ reviewe of said brand of Lanterns from anebayer
"What a fantastic item. bought the box of 20 - idea was to give them away as xmas presents... but ended up keeping them....
best used in no wind... but we did manage to fly one in the wind....
light your lantern... make a wish.. and watch it float away...
i love them..."
So if there was wind that evening to get 70 up seems like its unlikely.
So times of school release and wind direction etc is needed here.