KEEP watching the skies - That's the message from a new Swindon UFO group.

The Swindon UFO Research Organisation is hoping to attract members from across the town and surrounding areas.

The newly-formed organisation will help and support witnesses of unexplained phenomena by upholding strict confidentially.

It will also dispel the myths and stigma associated with UFO sightings.

"There have been five sightings in Wiltshire during May alone," said Chris Williams, the lead investigator of the Swindon UFO Research Organisation.

"These have been found to be aircraft passing overhead.

"But a lot remain unexplained and that is the fascinating thing.

"I think Wiltshire is well known for its strange happenings - we have Stonehenge and many crop circles.

"I think people are interested in the unknown.

"We are hoping that people will report events to us but people don't always do so either because they are afraid or they think they're being silly.

"Sometimes the human thought processes make you see what you want to see."

The group, which has so far been web-based, plans to create a team of investigators and researchers to investigate UFO sighting reports.

They aim to hold monthly meetings and hold lectures and talks.

In time the group would also arrange events such as conferences - and sky watches are already planned for next month.

Chris, 40, from Swindon Road in Old Town, has been interested in UFOs for more than 20 years.

He added: "There are no active UFO groups in Swindon.

"So there is a real chance for us to fill this vacancy.

"When we receive a report of a UFO as a sighting then we can look into it.

"I would say 95 per cent of the time we can give an explanation but it's that five percent which is worth investigating.

"We'd take this initial report and compare it with other historical cases.

"There is also so much information on the internet you can make world wide comparisons with."

The first Swindon group meeting will be held at Longs Bar in Old Town at 8pm on Monday, June 16.

All are most welcome to attend.

If you want to join the group or submit a UFO sighting, please visit www.sufor.org.uk

Have you seen anything peculiar in the skies above Wiltshire? Click on comment to report a sighting