UFO spotted over power station
A CLOSE encounter has put Hartlepool firmly on the cosmic map.
Reported sightings in the town's skies are among 800 reported close encounters released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and The National Archives that were recorded between 1981 and 1996.
Records show sightings of a large, slow moving object flying above Hartlepool Power Station in March 1993.
Experts claim it is not unusual for UFOs to fly above or close to nuclear sites, including weapon storage areas or power stations.
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The sighting was said to be an "object of considerable size" hovering and moving very slowly.
The reports were released as part of a three-year project between the MoD and The National Archives, which aim to allow a worldwide audience to look at the records.
The fourth instalment is packed with 4,000 pages of correspondence between UFO spotters and Government officials.
The first letter concerning Hartlepool is dated March 29, 1993, and was sent by a member of the Manchester UFO Research Association.
It reports a sighting of an "object of considerable size" flying very low over a house on March 23 at 9.15pm.
It adds that the UFO was flying "at a very slow rate of speed and making odd manoeuvres (i.e. hovering then moving off, then hovering again and so on)".
It continues: "He also says that he watched the object hovering over the nuclear power station over the River Tees, in Hartlepool, for some time."
The correspondence added that neither the MoD or Teesside Airport could trace the object on radar and that there were similar reports on March 24 and 25.
They also question whether the object may have been an American stealth aircraft, commonly known as the Aurora.
A second letter, which also refers to sightings across the Tees Valley, again refers to the sightings above the power station and claims that two aircraft from RAF Leeming were diverted to the scene.
MoD officials confirmed that some UFO groups had received sightings in the Tees Valley area, but said that they had "not received any reports".
They also denied aircraft had been diverted to the scene, but did state two aircraft were returning to RAF Leeming at the time and passed through the area.
One theory for the lights is that an area of warm air met an area of cool air creating a hazy mist, which then reflected off car headlights.
Mail columnist and Ufologist, Richard D Hall, said: "There have been many cases of UFO sightings over nuclear weapon storage areas and power stations.
"There is a history of UFOs taking an interest in nuclear energy so the sighting in Hartlepool is not a surprise.
"I couldn't speculate on the specific reasons behind it though, as to whether they were sourcing energy, prising or analysing information."
Bosses at Hartlepool Power Station were unable to comment on the reported sightings.
Have you seen a UFO? If you have then contact the Mail on (01429) 239380 or email mail.news@northeast-press.co.uk
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