NEW Government documents released under the groundbreaking Freedom of Information laws have shed new light on unidentified flying objects in the skies of North Yorkshire.

Thousands of secret Ministry of Defence documents detailing observations of UFOs reported by RAF personnel, British Airway pilots and police officers are being released to the public to comply with the Freedom of Information laws, which came into force on January 1.

Britain's X-Files, as they are being referred to, log thousands of fascinating sightings by witnesses such as an RAF lieutenant, a police superintendent and a British Airways pilot, including an incident detected near Scarborough.

In July 1977, Flt Lt A M Wood reported "bright objects hanging over the sea". The document held by the MoD adds that the UFOs were reported to be three miles out to sea and about 5,000ft in height. The UFOs were also seen on the RAF Staxton Wold radar picture, which is then relayed to West Drayton.

The account was deemed to be so sensitive that the MoD had delayed its release for an extra three years.

Earlier this month, Filey was named as Britain's top location for sighting UFOs.

The British UFO Hunters study group said the seaside town was hotspot for unexplained incidents, involving flying objects. The organisation has found that enthusiasts have recorded most sightings in the town, compared with the rest of the country.

Perhaps Britain's X-Files will unveil the mysteries behind the unexplained accounts of UFOs in North Yorkshire that have fascinated Evening Press readers over the years.

In September 1972, Leslie Brigham photographed a mysterious light in the sky over York, which was also witnessed by his grandson John Ward. Explanations included a cloud of ionised particles from a rocket, a meteorite and an alien vessel, but nobody knew for sure exactly what it was.

In July 1980, Clive and Yvonne Howard, of York, spotted six "flying saucers" in a cluster over Sutton-on-Derwent. The couple claim to have heard a faint whirring sound before the objects disappeared.

In January 1991, Roger and Dawn Toye, of York, saw a series of lights hovering 500 metres above Knavesmire at about 5am on a clear, frosty morning.

A spokesman for RAF Linton-on-Ouse said air force activity was very unlikely to have caused what the Toye's saw.

In May, 1994, York postman John Hunt reported seeing an "onion-shaped" object fly at high-speed over his houseboat on the River Ouse.

In January 1995, farm worker Wayne Simpson claims to have seen a flying saucer as he tended his sheep near Holme-on-Spalding Moor.

The grey-coloured UFO zig-zagged across the sky and then, after a loud bang like thunder, disappeared.

Have you ever had a close encounter with a UFO? Email charlotte.percival@ycp.co.uk, or phone 01904 653051 ext 315.

Updated: 08:34 Thursday, January 27, 2005