A North pilot's close encounter with a UFO off the coast of Northumberland has been revealed in long-hidden military files.
Newly-released reports contain numerous UFO sightings by British airmen, including details of a possible visit by extraterrestrial life-forms to the North, witnessed by a pilot at RAF Boulmer in Northumberland.
In July 1977, Flight Lieutenant AM Wood of RAF Boulmer reported seeing "bright objects hanging over the sea" including an object that was "luminous, round and four to five times larger than a Whirlwind helicopter".
North UFO-watchers last night welcomed the release of the report on the incident, which has been the subject of local rumour for years.
The official reports, which have spent more than 25 years under lock and key in the Ministry of Defence's UFO department - SF4 - have just been released under new Freedom of Information measures.
In the classified report, Flt Lt Wood, described by superiors as "sober and reliable", said: "The objects separated, then one went west of the other. As it manoeuvred it changed shape to become body-shaped with projections like arms and legs."
The sighting of the UFOs, which were reported to be three miles out to sea at a height of about 5,000ft, was supported by a Cpl Torrington and Sgt Graham of RAF Boulmer, who were positioned at a picket post at the station.
They also observed the strange objects for an hour and 40 minutes and reported the sighting to their commanding officers.
The MoD report confirmed that the objects had been visible on radar at RAF Boulmer as well as the base at Staxton Wold, North Yorkshire.
It said: "On seeing the objects on radar, the duty controller checked with the SRO as to whether he could see the objects on radar supplied from RAF Staxton Wold."
Researcher of the paranormal Alfred Dodds, 66, of the Northumberland UFO Research Centre, said last night: "There have been quite a few sightings of UFOs in Northumberland over the years, with several in the vicinity of RAF Boulmer.
"And I had heard rumours of this particular incident, so it is very interesting to hear that it has been officially confirmed. Hopefully, we will see more incidents come to light as further classified UFO documents are released under the Freedom of Information Act."
The account of the sighting has been kept secret by the MoD since 1977 - but under the Freedom of Information Act, which came into force on January 1, the file has been reviewed and declassified.
An MoD spokesman last night confirmed a number of classified reports had been released and explained the ministry's policy on Unidentified Flying Objects.
He said: "Some reports have been released that were deemed to be in the public interest. But the majority of documents on contentious subjects will not start to be released until after February 1.
"The MoD does not have any expertise or role in respect of UFOs and flying saucer matters, or to question the existence or otherwise of extraterrestrial lifeforms, about which it remains totally open-minded.
"The MoD examines any UFO reports it receives solely to establish whether what was seen might have some defence significance. But to date the MoD knows of no evidence, which substantiates the existence of these alleged phenomena."
