A primary school teacher has spoken of her amazement after spotting what she believes to be a UFO while out walking her dogs with her husband.

Penny Martin (52), of Little Earnock, spotted an unusual object in the sky on Saturday night about 10.15pm.

Penny described an orange-yellow object floating motionless above the houses near her home.

She said: "It was shaped rather like a balloon and in the centre there was a flickering light rather like a candle effect. To begin with I thought it was just a balloon.

"However, what was striking was the absolute silence. There wasn't that burn sound you hear from hot air balloons.

"My husband Alexander took out his mobile phone to capture it but the object shot off at terrific speed towards Wishaw.

"I have never seen anything move so fast and again there was absolute silence."

The Martins saw the object again a short time later. Penny, who teaches in Wishaw, said: "It wasn't as close this time. It seemed to move in a rapid circle then stopped in the distance for a short time and then, like before, it shot off.

"I have never seen anything like this before. All I can say is that I can't work out a logical explanation for this, and remain fascinated by the event."

Sightings of orange lights in the sky are quite common throughout Lanarkshire - and reader Bill Sim recently provided the Advertiser with footage of his experience.

However some experts say these lights could be Chinese lanterns that have 'escaped' or been thrown into the night sky.

There has also been speculation that the sightings could be of the planet Venus.

Gloria Dixon, a UFO investigator for the British UFO Research Association, said: "A high percentage of sightings have been identified as Chinese lanterns, which have become very prevalent over the last couple of years, together with sightings of the International Space Station, which has been visible in certain parts of the UK particularly during July and August."

To view Bill Sim's film, visit the Videos and Pics section of www.hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk.