BLINKING and flashing lights and a stroke on the arm were among the experiences felt by those at Weird ’09.

The conference, dubbed Wiltshire’s Premier UFO and Paranormal Event, took place in Warminster.

Up to 180 people attended talks at the conference, which was held at the Athenaeum Theatre, while about another 90 took part in field trips on Saturday evening.

Event organiser Chris Williams, who is also the founder of Swindon UFO Research (SUFOR), said he hoped the event would break even, and thereby pave the way for a similar celebration of the unusual next year.

He said: “It was a great success – it was brilliant. The atmosphere was fantastic.

“It’s proved there is a sufficient volume of interest in order for us to put another event on.”

Mr Williams chose Warminster because in the 1960s and ’70s it was dubbed the unofficial UFO capital of the UK.

Visitors to the conference were given talks on the release of UFO files, alien abduction and contact and paranormal investigation.

Merchants sold a range of memorabilia related to Weird ‘09 discussion points and a rock band called C.E.IV – Close Encounters 4 – provided a theme tune for the event and sang about their unusual experiences.

On Saturday evening 80 Weird ’09 attendees went to a Skywatch event at Cradle Hill in Warminster.

On the same night Mr Williams, who lives in Old Town, was one of three paranormal investigators who took 10 people on a tour of an old building in Warminster which has a history of paranormal activity.

He refused to disclose the name of the building, but said: “It was very interesting. We experienced a number of things that were particularly strange including a dancing light show.

“We also witnessed a massive bright flash of light when we called out. It was really intense.

“But the spookiest one for me personally was when I was sat in a chair and I felt someone stroke my arm.”

For more information on Weird ’09, visit http://www.mystical-county.org.uk/