'UFO' was a military aircraft
REPORTS of a UFO spotted in the skies above Chatton have been dismissed as the activities of military aircraft.
Valerie Glass, from Belford, saw the 'strange orange light' as she was driving from Wooler to Belford.
"It did not resemble an aircraft," she said. "It was stationary, seemed to hover above then make a circular movement and disappeared rapidly towards the A1 and coast."
She got in touch with the Berwick Advertiser to see if we had received any similar reports and then contacted RAF Boulmer to see if it could shed light on the mystery.
Flt Lt Nick Winder of RAF Boulmer explained: "I have done some investigation of aircraft activity in that area and am happy to report to you that spotted a pair of military helicopters on manoeuvres.
"Based on data received from the remote radar head at Brizlee Wood, Alnwick, I can confirm that the two helicopters transited to the area and conducted several landings, hover manoeuvres at (approximately 500ft) and some close formation flying.
"The helicopters were south-east of Chatton and hovered for approximately five minutes, before heading to the south. There were no other aircraft within a 15 miles radius of Chatton during this time period."
Although he was unable to say what type of aircraft it was, the RAF operates Puma, Merlin and Chinook helicopters which are capable of speeds in excess of 170mph.
"This may explain why you saw them rapidly move away from their hover position," he told Mrs Glass.
"All three helicopter types are employed in the troop carrying role and are currently seeing active service in both Iraq and Afghanistan."
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Weather for Berwick-Upon-Tweed
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
