STRANGE lights hovering over Worcestershire were not fire lanterns, according to UFO experts.

Earlier this week your Worcester News reported how a cluster of colourful lights had been spotted and photographed in the sky above the city.

Andy Ball had been photographing an unusual cloud formation when he captured the lights.

The same, mysterious objects – cylindrical in shape, completely silent and deadly still – were spotted by a number of Worcester News readers.

There has been speculation that many UFO sightings are in fact fire or sky lanterns, which are becoming increasingly popular at weddings and celebrations in the UK. But after studying the pictures, taken by Andy Ball at 12.05am on Monday, June 30, experts have decided they do not show paper lanterns.

Michael Soper, of Contact International UFO Research, said: “They are not lanterns.

“On one set of photographs the lights were too indistinguishable to tell, but on the others they were clearly cylindrical, which indicates they are not lanterns.

“All the fire balloons we have come across are shaped like mini hot air balloons.

“These lights are rather more interesting that we expected.”

But not everyone is convinced. Commenting on worcesternews.co.uk, one reader wrote: “As a photographer with +40 years experience, I say it’s a reflection of the bright lights on the building, probably reflected by a cheap filter on the camera lens. Anyone could go to that site and take another picture and get similar results.”

Mandy Brown, of Vines Lane, Droitwich, saw what she thinks were lanterns floating over her house at 1am on Saturday, June 14.

“There were 19 of them, I did think it must be some sort of balloon as there was no sound,” she said.

Mark Archer, of Hallow, saw a similar phenomenon over his back garden at midnight in Hallow, near Worcester, on Thursday, June 26.

“I was looking for the usual things like shooting stars and satellites when I noticed in a southern direction a really bright star that I had never seen before in that position,” he said.

“I thought it may be the police helicopter as the light was so bright, but there was no sound. It was completely still and silent. I watched it for about two or three minutes and it never moved.”

Two hours earlier Sheila Garner, of Whittingon, saw a “bright round light in the sky” from Whittington Road, Worcester.

“It was much too big to be a satellite or a star,” she said. Last month dog walker Bonnie Lewis filmed lights flying over Bromsgrove. The 29-year-old said the seven shapes made no sound and flashed different colours.

To report sightings call Contact International UFO Research on 01865 726908 or visit contactinternational.co.uk.