YOU can come out from behind the sofa now. Initial reports of an alien invasion from outer space have proved to be premature.

The black hole in Hopgrove, thought to have been caused by a supersonic meteorite, was actually the result of an electricity cable shorting. Mind you, it took a leading geologist, the police, an Army Bomb Disposal team and others to establish that for certain.

The confusion is understandable. In a week of terrible calamities, we were all too ready to believe that the sky was about to fall in. This story has brought welcome light relief. And, heaven's above, we needed it.

Updated: 12:00 Friday, March 02, 2001