Puzzled Evening Telegraph readers saw the lights on Thursday from Elton and from the A1, near Wansford, on Saturday.

It now seems the UFOs were simply Chinese sky lanterns released at the wedding reception of Peterborough couple Franco and Sandra Caprio, at The Haycock Hotel, Wansford.

In an e-mail from Germany, where they are honeymooning, Mr Caprio said the nearest they came to life on Mars was a performance at the reception by Aladdinsane, a David Bowie tribute band in which he plays bass.

He said: "They were, in fact, Chinese sky lanterns and my wife and I were married that day and thought it would be a romantic touch to let a few off that evening at The Haycock, Wansford, where our reception was being held.

"We are also aware from the very helpful staff at The Haycock that Saturday night's wedding also set off lanterns.

"We did not mean to cause such a stir and hope we also didn't disappoint anybody hoping for UFOs to land."

Chinese sky lanterns contain a small candle or fuel cell which burns to lift them skyward on the heated air.

They can travel upwards for 1,000 metres before the flame goes out and they drift back to earth.

And Pauline Clay also got in touch .

"My sister Tracy Hall (now Mrs Squire) married Benjamin Squire on Saturday, May 17th. The reception was held at The Haycock at Wansford. My brother-in-law purchased these Chinese Lanterns for the guests to light and release in the night sky. They are supposed to bring good luck.

"So I am sorry to inform your readers there was no UFOs, but approximately 20 to 25 Chinese Lanterns. "