THE mystery of UFOs over Huddersfield has been solved.

People in the Holme Valley reported seeing a mysterious red light in the skies on Saturday night.

Sadly for UFO believers it turns out they were nothing more mysterious or sinister than fast-flying Chinese lanterns sent soaring skywards.

Kirkburton woman Lyndsay White contacted the paper after reading that two people had reported seeing a red shape moving from Cinderhills in the direction of Dunford Bridge.

She said: “My family and I released a Chinese firefly lantern at Highburton around 10pm on Saturday.

“It looked spectacular when it went up and someone joked that people would call the Examiner saying they had seen a UFO. We had a laugh about it.”

Lyndsay bought the lantern, which was 4ft tall and 2ft wide, from Armitage’s Garden Centre in Shelley.

She released it in memory of her stepfather Alan Castle.

The Holmfirth man, who died earlier this month, saw the lanterns during a holiday to Thailand.

Anita Duce, of Fernside Avenue, Almondbury also contacted the Examiner to report a mysterious red shape.

And this time it seems that Jacky West, of nearby Far View Crescent was responsible.

She also released a lantern from her back garden on Saturday night.

“I’d like to use them at my daughter Charlotte’s wedding reception next year,’’ said Jacky. “They are absolutely beautiful, like little hot air balloons.”

She bought the lantern, which was 2ft 6in tall and 18 inches across, from Armitage’s Garden Centre at Birchencliffe.

Jacky said: “I laughed when I saw the reports of UFO sightings, I’m sure it was our lantern. I hope they don’t get banned because of this!”

But there is hope for the believers.

Other strange lights seen in other parts of the country the same night remain unexplained.

People all over the nation reported bright orange balls shooting through the sky and strange flickering lights.

More than 200 people contacted UFO Investigations UK claiming to have seen UFOs on Saturday night.

The organisation usually receives no more than 15 reports a day.