Farmer sparks UFO alert with helium balloons

A red-faced farmer, Johnny Hewitt, has come clean after sparking a nationwide UFO sighting frenzy with a pack of illuminated party balloons.

Mr Hewitt, 35, had tethered hundreds of the mulit-coloured helium-filled balloons containing miniature LEDs, in a net and floated the craft over his countryside home as a guiding beacon to party-guests before tying it back in his barn.

But the unsuspecting farmer had no idea that the eerie orb-like structure was attracting the attention of alien-spotters across the county, with reported UFO sightings being aired on local radio, TV stations and You Tube and astronomy experts suggesting it could be a planet or part of a meteor shower.

As news of the spooky sightings reached the farmer, Mr Hewitt realised it was his party beacon that had caused the widespread panic and has now come forward to reassure the public that there is no alien invasion.

Mr Hewitt said, "I didn't think it would be so spooky and I certainly didn't expect it to draw so much attention."

"So sorry everyone - it's not aliens or any other UFO - it was my balloons! I unleased the orb!"

Johnny Hewitt's helium-filled balloons containing miniature LEDs Photo: CAVENDISH

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