Flying Saucers have Landed was held at the Spa Complex last Thursday and Friday and attracted enthusiasts from across the country.

Russ Kellett, a Filey-based UFO investigator and conference organiser, was hoping for 50 people each day and there were almost 50 on the first day and just over 60 on the second.

"It was fantastic having everyone over to Scarborough. There were a few technical problems but the feedback has been very positive. We've learned from experience – don't leave anything to chance."

Mr Kellett said he had received emails from several people who were at the event from as far afield as London, Derby, Norwich, Liverpool, Newcastle and Scotland.

During the conference members of the audience were invited to tell of their experiences, and Mr Kellett said: "Why aren't these people coming forward to the media? It could be because they are scared stiff."

He added that there had been a very strong reaction from members of the audience when he showed video footage including what he believed to be an alien dogfight.

He said: "One woman nearly passed out and people were shouting 'it's attacking'."

As well as Mr Kellett speakers at the conference included Glenn Steckling, co-ordinator of the American-based George Adamski Foun- dation, Harry Chall- enger, the sixth editor of the Flying Saucer Review, an abduction agony aunt, an animal mutilation expert and Win Keech, who will showed footage of the formation of a crop circle in Wiltshire – possibly the only recorded evidence of such an event.

Mr Kellett initially hoped to organise a larger UFO festival next year but is now hoping to keep the event similar to this year's.

"After seeing just how difficult it is rather than going bigger I think I will stick to the same event," he said.

"We'd love to do it again but the festival is a bit too ambitious and I think we will stick to another conference rather than a festival.

"I want it to be the best conference and it'll take a few years to get a festival organised."

Mr Kellett wants more local people to speak at next year's event.

He said: "We are getting celebrities from around the world but we must have people from this area first and foremost."