A reported alien visitation in Lincoln has made the national news, only to be debunked by a newlywed.

Dozens of bizarre lights were spotted over the city, prompting residents to contact the Echo and send in photos of the mystery objects.

The glowing, floating "UFOs" were spotted above the West Parade area of Lincoln as they coursed across the sky.

National newspapers the Sun, the Telegraph and the Daily Mail all picked up the story.

But now newlyweds, Clare and Adrian Bower (31), have said they were responsible for the "alien invasion".

The couple arranged for every family member at their wedding to launch a sky lantern on Saturday evening from the reception at the Lawn in Union Road, Lincoln.

Mrs Bowers (28) said: "I think it is absolutely fantastic and bizarre. I never even dreamed that we would get such a reaction and the fact that it is of national interest is just unbelievable."

The Sun newspaper featured the story on its website yesterda calling the objects "eerie extra-terrestrial crafts" and said they were "buzzing over awestruck Britain".

A Daily Mail reporter said in a story: "The procession of up to 50 mysterious orange lights has been baffling eyewitnesses."

And the Telegraph reported that witnesses claimed to have seen up to 50 of the mystery bright beams.

For more on the "mystery" of Lincoln's bright lights, see Thursday's Echo.