City UFOs? This couple has the answer!

WHEN lights floated across the evening sky in Carlton last weekend, no one was able to identify the mysterious flying objects.

Many believed the lights were alien spacecraft, prompting a flurry of comments on the Evening Post website.

But a more earthly explanation for the strange, ethereal objects has now emerged.

Newlyweds Izabella and Adrian Jagiello-Marks believe the lights were actually flying Chinese lanterns, released into the sky as part of their wedding celebrations.

The lanterns, which are about 30 inches tall and made from rice paper, are set alight at the base and fly into the sky like mini hot-air balloons.

Mrs Jagiello-Marks said: "You'd never think lighting a bunch of lanterns would be so cool, but it was an amazing site."

The couple married on Saturday at Nottingham Cathedral, on Derby Road. But the party continued on Sunday, when guests made wishes as eight lanterns took off from their home on Hillview Road, Carlton.

"Seven went off really fast. The last one had a bit of a hole in it, so it lagged behind," said Mrs Jagiello-Marks, whose sister had bought the lanterns as a wedding gift.

Anita Hearn, from Lambley, was driving her mother home to Carlton at about 9.30pm last Sunday when she saw lights in the sky. She said: "We saw in the distance at first what we thought were fireworks.

"Then we realised these lights were all in a shape, equal distance apart and moving slowly at the same speed. Eventually they all faded away. It was ever so strange. I was quite scared."

Sightings were also reported from Langley Mill, Heanor and Eastwood.

Anne Devonport, from Langley Mill, said: "There were about 16 we could see in the sky but a lot more behind. They seemed to be really bright, then they drifted to the left and disappeared altogether.

"I didn't know what they were. There was no noise from them."

It has been reported that another 50 lanterns were released at a wedding at Eastwood Hall Hotel that evening.

Izabella Jagiello-Marks said: "I thought it was hilarious. Even with a logical explanation, people believe they're UFOs. It's a bit of a joke."

delia.monk@notttinghameveningpost.co.uk