Floating orb explanations from residents

PHOTOS of glowing orbs published in the Gazette last week have prompted residents to phone in with suggestions of what they think they were.

The photo was sent in by Loraine Wiley after she spotted them near her home in Beechwood Avenue, Ruislip, on May 31.

Maggie Daly, of Chichester Avenue, Ruislip, also saw three lights in the sky on Saturday night (20).

She said: "I reckon they are Chinese lanterns. I spoke to a Chinese couple who live near me and they said they fit the bill."

Martin Holland, of Cranbourne Road, Northwood Hills, confirmed this theory.

He said: "The floating orbs was a Chinese lantern. It must have been because I let one go on the same night at at about 10pm and it went towards Ruislip Woods.

"Someone gave it to my wife a few months ago and we were waiting for a warm evening to let it go."

Hubert Ross, a 98-year-old scientist from Ickenham, first thought they were helicopter search lights.

He said: "I watched the news and now I believe they were fragments from space because two satellites collided.

"I don't think people should make up stories about UFOs because it frightens children unnecessarily."