Did aliens visit earth in the autumn of 1967? When seven flying saucers were discovered across southern England – mobilising police forces, the military and government agents – plenty thought they had.

But, as Brightlingsea author John Keeling explains in his new book, ‘Landed’, the alien visitations were in fact the convincing result of an ingenious plot by a group of apprentices to test the authorities.

And test them it did. As the small silver saucers were discovered – emitting electronic shrieks when moved and oozing a strange white substance – in farmer’s fields, estuary mud, the fairway of a golf course and even a traffic island in London’s Kingsway, alerts reached the highest levels of government. and the story was picket up by national print and broadcast media.

Only after one was blown up by bomb disposal experts, and others – very carefully – were opened up, was the hoax discovered. The saucers were built by apprentices at Farnborough’s Royal Aircraft Establishment – and their construction was widely admired. Their planning, as the book explains, was meticulous and earned them only a mild dressing down from their superiors.

John’s extensively researched book recounts the details of the hoax in a lively fashion. At the same time, he explores the history of flying saucer hoaxes, which began in earnest in the late 1940s and  gained traction in the 1950s during the cold war.

As he says in the opening chapter: …”it is a book about how belief in the Flying Saucer myth has been exploited and manipulated”. “And,” he adds, “what the reactions to such spoofs may tel us about our hopes, fears, and ability (or otherwise) to cope with an actual encounter should one occur”.

He also poses questions: “What would we do if aliens landed? Would we offer greetings? Or would we shoot to kill? Does anyone have a plan in case they arrive?

It’s a fascinating read, with its entertaining tale of spoofs and the panic they sometimes created. It also looks at the causes of false UFO reports, how government bodies were tested (and remain secretive about some details) and more. The 448 pages are illustrated with many previously unseen photographs of the hoax saucers, too.

The author, a former Colchester Royal Grammar School pupil, had a career in the film and video distribution business, and has produced TV commercials and documentaries, including one documenting the history of the rock band Status Quo.

• Landed, by John Keeling is available on Amazon for £12.99. https://www.amazon.co.uk/LANDED-British-Flying-Saucer-Extraterrestrial/dp/1068702907