UFO sightings were only club's searchlights

12:58am Friday 21st March 2008

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A BASILDON nightspot has been attracting interest from extraterrestrial enthusiasts - because its spotlights are being mistaken for UFOs.

Reports of "mysterious" lights beaming through the night over Billericay have been explained as the Sky Bar's "skytracker" light equipment.

People told the Echo they thought they'd spied a UFO after witnessing a "strange light" moving above the clouds in the direction of Norsey Woods.

One of the bewildered spectators, who asked not to be named, said: "The light appeared to moving in circular and figure of eight patterns.

"The light did not appear to come from the ground as there was no beam as you would see with a spotlight."

However, after a little investigation residents discovered the beam had come from Festival Leisure Park.

Sky Bar manager, Darren Fisher, said: "We've had a few phone calls about this.

"Some people called a radio station a little while ago saying they thought they'd seen a UFO, when in fact it was all down to the Skytracker on top of the club's roof.

"Skytrackers, which emit beams of light into the sky, are quite common outside nightclubs now.

"We haven't had any complaints about it. It's just a bit of fun. We usually put it on at weekends.

"I'm sorry it hasn't turned out to be anything as interesting as a flying saucer."

Although the Sky Bar is fully authorised to use the Skytracker, over in Southend lights piercing the night sky haven't been as well received.

Several complaints about powerful searchlights above Adventure Island amusement park and Talk nightclub, in Lucy Road, have been made to the council.

Critics claim the lights threaten wildlife, with confused migrating birds flying into illuminated buildings.

Southend Council is now considering whether to ban the lights.