UFO MYSTERY AT PAISLEY CENTRE

Aug 9 2005 Paisley Daily Express

PDE NEWS THURS AUG 4

THE mysterious appearance of a ‘crop circle’ on the roof of Paisley’s leading shopping centre has led to claims that aliens landed in the town.

The bizarre circle, measuring six metres across, appeared on the flat roof area of The Paisley Centre following a series of strange goings-on at the popular mall.

And yesterday sober-suited centre manager Andrew MacKinnon was convinced someone from another planet is trying to make contact.

He said: “This is not a joke. I believe it was a UFO. I believe aliens are trying to get in contact with us.”

The circle, which is greyish in colour and has a gold-coloured edging, appears to have been burnt into the roof’s gravel covering.

And its appearance followed the simultaneous malfunctioning of office electrical equipment at the centre that included blow-outs on a photocopier, a fax and the vitally important CCTV equipment.

Mr MacKinnon said The Paisley Centre roof is a secured area and not accessible to the general public.

It plays host to a number of radio communications devices which are used by the centre’s stores to communicate information.

The centre manager’s theory is that a UFO attempted to make contact with the people of Paisley via the radio equipment located within this remote site.

A satellite dish housed near the possible landing area also malfunctioned after the appearance of the circle.

The strange claims have been made after one employee experienced what he believes may be the mystery alien craft while carrying out work on the roof.

Jamie Lavery, 47, a maintenance engineer, said: “While undertaking some roof maintenance, strange activities started to take place.”

Jamie, from Glenburn, went on: “Some equipment I was using to apply weed killer moved location, then out of the corner of my eye I briefly saw what appeared to be a brightly-lit flying object.”

Mr MacKinnon added: “I believe this is a genuine UFO siting, with aliens possibly looking to send some sort of coded message to us.

“Why they have chosen the Paisley Centre is unclear. However, I would urge Buddies to keep an eye on the sky and a camera to hand as I would expect more contact soon.”

And to add even more mystery to the claims, a strange metal-like material was found on the centre roof after the appearance of the circle.

Now, it is to be sent for analysis.

“I’m considering sending it to Paisley University to see what they think of it,” Mr MacKinnon said.

“It could have something to do with the UFO.”