IS this finally proof that there is life on another planet? A number of sightings of round, orange objects in our skies were reported across the country over the weekend including near Royston. One eye-witness, Robert Walton, was travelling along the A505

IS this finally proof that there is life on another planet?

A number of sightings of round, orange objects in our skies were reported across the country over the weekend including near Royston.

One eye-witness, Robert Walton, was travelling along the A505 at 11.20pm on Saturday when he saw about 20 bright orange balls in the sky.

They were travelling north from the Baldock area towards Royston.

Mr Walton, from Guilden Morden, said: "It was very peculiar, they were exceptionally bright and travelled so fast."

Frances Brown also told The Crow how her mother-in-law and sister-in-law saw the orange shapes while driving along the A1 at Baldock.

Mrs Brown said: "They saw about five cars pulled over in a lay-by watching these orange balls.

"They slowed right down and were amazed at what they saw. At first they thought they were hot air balloons, but they were going very high up."

No theories have been offered by Luton airport, the Ministry of Defence or Hertfordshire police.

A spokesman from the Green Witch Astronomy Centre, near Cambridge, said: "Sometimes shooting stars or space debris can enter the Earth's atmosphere, but the description of the orange balls is unlikely to be anything astronomical."

One possible explanation for the unusual sightings is that the orange lights were nothing more than paper lanterns.

The summer's latest craze involves letting the lanterns - which contain messages - float into the night sky.

The lanterns, made of orange paper, are powered by candles or tea-lights similar to hot air balloons.

Some people who have witnessed the strange, moving objects are not convinced.

Mr Walton said: "I can't believe they were lanterns. It was quite a still night and they were moving quite fast.

"Other people got out of their cars to watch.