Residents in Leicester were getting alarmed last Friday (the 13th) after spotting what looked like ‘flaming UFOs’ in the sky.
Several whipped out their phones and scooped some video of the mysterious aerial phenomenon.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t a case of alien spacecraft burning up in our atmosphere. Instead, it was a publicity stunt for a local radio station.
As reported by the Leicestershire Live, the producers at BBC Radio Leicester employed fire-spouting planes to promote a new weekday show from a couple of presenters who were being taken up in the planes.
‘The flying lights in the sky over Leicester on Friday night were Aerosparx,’ Radio Leicester editor Sophie Shadlow said.
The concern about UFOs got so real than even the local constabulary had to issue a warning.
When you’re on the phone to your mum and she doesn’t believe you…until she sees it for herself!! This was not fun at all, I am extremely distressed! We should be warned about this kind of stuff! 👽🤫 #leicester #UFO pic.twitter.com/emXmWIFgS1
— Amiee 🐾 (@Amiee_3) September 13, 2019
When people think fireballs and UFO’s but you and your mum think people are going to die and a planes going down 😂😂 (it wasn’t) #Leicester #FridayThe13th #funny pic.twitter.com/Bnjj9ABoDi
— 🦋 (@LiviaG991) September 13, 2019
Genuinely thought I’m lucky enough in my life for #UFO sighting in #Leicester 👽 https://t.co/Sf0qPGNaUW pic.twitter.com/HJIg9ZYr3t
— ℭ (@chen__pei) September 13, 2019
Guy Westgate, team leader of Aerosparx and one of the pilots, said: ‘We haven’t had so much fun in ages. Was a genuine pleasure to try and do something new and different.’
‘We often get confused for UFOs, but we have never gone flying before with the intention to make our flight look like something from outer space.
‘We have been overwhelmed by the reaction. It was Friday 13th, with a full moon. Does it get any better?’