Retired police officer Alan Godfrey says the encounter occurred while he was on patrol in Todmorden, West Yorks, in the early hours of November 28, 1980

man in soccer shirt
© Alan GodfreyThe truth is out there: Retired police officer Alan Godfrey claims he had an alien encounter
A retired police officer who claims to be Britain's first alien abduction will be keeping a close eye on the skies tomorrow - 35 years after his UFO encounter.

Alan Godfrey, a former PC, says his close encounter with a UFO is still fresh in his mind as it was 35 years ago.

He was on patrol in Todmorden, West Yorks, in the early hours of 28 November 1980 when he believes he was snatched from his police car.

Under hypnosis, arranged by solicitor Harry Harris, he recalled seeing small beings and a tall man with a beard on the craft, who conducted medical tests on him.

His encounter is regarded by researchers as the first alien abduction in the UK.

Retired former police detective Gary Heseltine, who edits UFO Truth Magazine, said: "I researched Alan's case over an 18 month period, meeting with him on many occasions and becoming his friend.

Man drawing UFO
© Alan GodfreyAlan Godfrey Close encounter: Alan with his drawings of the UFO and alien being
" He was a well-respected police officer amongst his colleagues who became involved in what is largely regarded as Britain's first documented 'Alien Abduction' case.

"I'm one of the very few people who has seen every minute of his hypnotic regression videos. Based on all I know of this case I believe his account is genuine."

Author and UFO expert Jenny Randles, from Rossendale, Lancs, said: "Alan's encounter is probably the most famous and the best regarded of all British UFO close encounters of the fourth kind outside the UK.

"Whenever I have been in the US it is the only one the Americans seem to have heard about.

UFO drawing
© Alan GodfreyEvidence: Alan quickly scribbled down a sketch of the UFO after he spotted it
"The week after I was invited to address the House of Lords UFO group in the Houses of Parliament and met many interested big wigs who were very eager to know what the heck was going on.

" In 1980 this was still something uncommon even in America so there was no X Files like mythology as today."
Alan was out hunting a herd of missing cows when he witnessed the 'diamond shaped' object hovering five foot off the ground.

He tried to call for help but all he got was radio silence.

'60s Police man
© Alan GodfreyAbducted: Alan believes he was snatched from his police car in Todmorden, West Yorks
He jotted down a sketch of the silent eerie craft which seemed to be rotating in his police notepad.

Suddenly the object vanished and he was 30 yards further down the road.

Alan said: "This was a solid craft, not a trick of the mind. I would swear on the Bible it was from somewhere else."

He drove back to the scene and discovered the road was dry despite it having rained.

A bus travelling on the road stopped and the driver got out and noticed the same thing.

Man on stage
© Alan GodfreyClaims: Alan, pictured giving a lecture, can't account for his "missing time"
Alan returned to the local police station but couldn't account for 15 minutes of what abduction researchers call 'missing time'.

At first he kept the encounter to himself, fearing he would be made a laughing stock.

But he filed an official report when several other officers said they had also witnessed the UFO zooming across the local moors.

A lorry driver also phoned in to say he saw the UFO buzzing Cliviger, near Burnley, Lancs.

people in bar
© Alan GodfreyTaken? Alan says the encounter is as fresh in his mind as ever
Police released the story to the local media and it was picked up by the Sunday Mirror.

Journalist John Sheard said recently: "I've been a journalist for 50 years and covered quite a few strange stories, but the Alan Godfrey story is undoubtedly the most astonishing thing I ever covered."

Oldham-born Alan believes his superiors tried to get him sectioned following his close encounter and said he was banned from Todmorden Police Station.

He is now retired but still lives in the area.

He said: "It doesn't seem that long ago. It's as fresh in my mind as it was at the time."

Last year, Alan gave a sell-out talk for the Mayor of Todmorden's charities raising £2,500.

Former mayor Michael Gill said: "I've known Alan for many years. He is a very straight speaking, genuine man. I don't doubt he experienced what he says.

"He has no conscious memory of the things that came out under hypnosis and openly admits he has no idea if they happened or not.

"He does however clearly remember the nuts and bolts craft. He has often said 'That craft was there. If I had thrown a brick at it, it would have gone bang!'"