Published: Friday, 5th December, 2008 12:30pm

Father Christmas blamed for UFO sightings

SANTA is behind the latest UFO sightings in the Tweeddale Triangle.

We reported last week how three mysterious lights were seen shooting over Venlaw Hill in Peebles before flying off to the west.

And how they were the latest in a long line of strange objects spotted in the skies above Stobo all the way down to Innerleithen.

But readers have been in touch this week to lift the lid on the Saturday night spaceships.

Iain Weir, from Crossburn Farm Road in Peebles, told us: 'They were in fact flying lanterns with Santa notes which were launched from our home and on their way to Lapland.

'My daughter, Ellie, had been asking me a science question about hot air balloons and I had promised to show her an experiment to explain how they work. I thought it would be a good idea to attach Santa notes for the kids.'

Ellie, 5, and her wee brother Robbie, 4, and sister Mairi, 1, each sent one of the lighten lanterns into the night sky.

Mum Lynne added: 'We were totally mortified when we read about the strange lights. We had no idea that our lanterns would cause such a commotion.

'The children are all eagerly awaiting replies from Santa.'

The Weir family are planning to launch more of the lanterns - as they did buy a pack of 10.