A CLOSE encounter of a mysterious kind which was captured on camcorder is being sent to UFO experts in America to be analysed.

Southbourne man Ian Stalker witnessed what he believes was a UFO, as he was helping himself to a glass of water at his home in Darracott Road at around 3am on Sunday August 8.

Mr Stalker, 62, a painter and decorator, saw a bright flashing light in the sky 'somewhere over Hengistbury Head.'

Neither the coastguard nor the police have received any reports of unusual sightings.

However, Mr Stalker showed the tape to lifelong UFO researcher, Dave Haith who then agreed to send the original to be analysed by UFO experts in America.

Mr Stalker said: "I could see a bright light through the corner of my skylight, so I got my camcorder out. It could not have been a helicopter because it was completely silent, even at that time of the morning. We do get the odd helicopter out here but there is always an echo.

"When I played it back it looked like an upside down egg cup and the bottom just tapers out. It was there for about fifteen minutes.

"The stars were out that night but this was way, way too big to be a star. I have never seen anything like this before."

After viewing the tape, Mr Haith described it as 'very interesting'.

"I don't think it was a helicopter but it could have been some joker playing around with a toy balloon. There's certainly something beneath the object, which makes me think it could possibly be a hoax.

"Unfortunately he went to bed after filming. If it had shot off at 1,000 miles per hour afterwards then we would know!"

He added: "There are a couple of guys in the states who have been analysing this kind of thing for years, so I will send the tape off to them and if anything comes of it I will let Mr Stalker know."

First published: August 19