BAFFLED sky-gazers feared alien activity was afoot when they spotted a mystery circle of lights above Accrington.

Worried residents within a five-mile radius of the town centre saw the laser-like beam, twirling and swooping in the dark sky on two consecutive nights.

Even the police were sent on a special mission to check out the cause.

But there was no need to call on Mulder and Scully from the X-Files to see if "The truth is out there."

The mystery source was traced to local Peugeot dealer Lythgoe Motors, in Milnshaw Lane.

To promote their new 405 estate model, bosses decided to borrow the light from Bacup-based Valley Sound and Lighting to draw attention to the showroom.

It was the highlight of four days of competitions and giveaways for the new car.

General manager Tom Robinson said: "We really did it just to see what kind of an effect it might have.

"It really lit up the sky. Even the police came down to see what was going on.

"We had a lot of people ringing up and quite a big crowd outside.

"It was the first time we have tried it but we will definitely be thinking about it again. It certainly did the trick."

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