FEARS of an alien invasion over Horwich were quickly dispelled after strange lights turned out to be from a circus.

Police received several reports overnight on Monday of lights and lasers in the skies above the area.

However, these turned out to be the show lights emitting from the circus currently located at the Middlebrook Retail Park.

Police added that they also became aware of electrical engineers working elsewhere in Horwich using high powered flashlights and headlamps at around the same time.

Posting on the GMP Bolton North Facebook page, officers said this was a total coincidence but the combination of the two sets of lights would look rather odd.

The post said: "Can we reassure you that this is not the start of an alien invasion, but rather the show lights emitting from the Circus currently located at Middlebrook Retail Park."

The Planet Circus Great Canadian Circus is running shows throughout this week next to Bolton Arena.