Reported UFO sightings in Liverpool have sparked fears that the city is on the brink of facing an 'alien invasion.'

Former policeman Steve Rafferty, 50, and his daughter Emma, saw 13 orange orbs and filmed the unexplained phenomena on a mobile phone.

Another witness captured footage and radio stations were jammed with callers reporting sightings.

"They looked as if they were searching for somewhere to land. Liverpool could face an alien invasion," The Sun quoted one witness, as saying.

The sightings came as three soldiers reported seeing UFOs spinning over an army base in Shropshire, in the west of the country.

The 13 flying objects were captured on film and are now reportedly being investigated by army officials.

A schoolboy photographed a UFO on the same day that three soldiers reported their mystery sighting.

Shaun Williams, 12, went out to snap a light aircraft performing stunts above his home in Llanelli, South Wales.

Later, he looked at the pictures on his digital camera - and realised he had also captured a saucer shape against a clear blue sky.

"I couldn't believe it when I looked back at my pictures and this strange object was there," Shaun said.