CHINESE Lanterns have been blamed for the recent 'UFO' sighting in the Barry sky.

The paper lanterns which are lit up by a candle and drift on the wind give a glow, depending on the colour of the paper shade.

Many of them sold in Barry are red-orange, the same colour of the glow that UFO spotters have reported. In response to a sighting by biochemist Jeff Dyas in the town last week, Barry resident and Coastguard member Dave Ball explained that due to the direction of the light, its colour and height, that it was most likely a Chinese Lantern.

"These Lanterns are becoming more common and are a cause for concern around the coast of the country," said Mr Ball.

"They should not be flown from Barry as there is a warning on the packet not to fly within five miles of an airport.

"The warning also says to tell the Coastguard if you fly it near the coast.

"On the Sunday night in question the wind was from the east, so the light would have traveled westwards.

"The light lasts for approximately 20 minutes, and lights up the inside of the lantern, giving an orange-red glow."

A writer on UFO website UFO BLOG.com said: "Balloons are the most misidentified aerial object of the minute and shows no signs of easing up."

The news will perhaps come as a disappointment to Vale Council chief executive John Maitland Evans, who had suggested that aliens had come to Barry to experience life in the Vale!