A TOP UK government official admitted the existence of UFOs in a secret document about a dramatic sighting.

The Ministry of Defence boss made the astonishing claim after dozens of eyewitnesses reported a "hovering" flying saucer in the skies in Shropshire.

His confidential report features in a new book by Timothy Good, who is regarded as a world expert on alien phenomena.

Good's book, Need To Know, features previously secret government papers about UFO sightings which have taken place around the world.

A whole section is devoted to a mystery craft which "shot beams of light" near RAF Shawbury, Shropshire, in the early hours of March 31, 1993. It had earlier been spotted in the skies above Devon, Cornwall and South Wales.

Up to 70 credible eyewitnesses later came forward to report the sighting, including some military personnel and police officers.

The newly obtained document shows that a Head of Secretariat for the Ministry of Defence wrote to the Assistant Chief of Air Staff following the chilling encounter on the night and was convinced it was a genuine UFO.

The release of the book comes as the MoD prepares to publish other UFO reports dating back to 1967.

The documents to be released also include witness accounts from civilian pilots and military personnel.

News Source: Independent.ie