HAVING read with interest the UFO sightings over Pickering by Colin Coulson (The Press, August) and admired the fuzzy pictures, it does appear that the colour and description add up to Chinese lanterns being the most likely culprit.

That is the problem with bright lights and fuzzy images: without any scale of reference, they cannot be identified.

As I waded through the latest MoD declassified UFO reports, I felt more disappointed than elated. Many of the reports related to fuzzy lights and vague far-off sightings. And it begs the question why most of these had to be deemed restricted in the first place by the MoD.

However, I cannot be too cynical – because I have also seen a UFO.

It was a cold February morning in 1979. I was riding my motorcycle to work, travelling towards Huby. In the corner of a small field, I saw a black triangular shaped object hovering silently. It held an occupant. There were two slim, dark-suited figures by its side and they turned to look at me as I approached.

So the truth is out there, however bizarre it might turn out to be.

Phil Shepherdson, Chantry Close, Woodthorpe, York