A mysterious cylindrical object has been spotted in the skies above the Black Country.

Retired teacher Mike Tunnicliffe was left scratching his head after seeing the UFO from his Walsall garden yesterday afternoon.

Mr Tunnicliffe, who works part time at County Bridge Primary School, ran to get his camera and snapped the strange shaped object. He’s hoping Express & Star readers might know what it is.

The 63-year-old of Sutton Road said: “It was a long shiny black cylinder shape, pointed at one end like a pencil.

“From where I was standing it was around 30ft long and around 400ft off the ground. It was vertical, pointing at the ground.

“It came so quickly then within five minutes it was gone again.

“I live close to the arboretum where there have been balloon festivals before, but I am sure it wasn’t a hot air balloon.

“Nor was it a tethered balloon or blimp. I am at a loss at to what it could possibly be.”

Mr Tunnicliffe said he saw the shape at 2.45pm yesterday. It appeared over the Mellish Road area, over Calderfields golf course then towards Lichfield Road.

A recent siting of a UFO pictured in the Black Country was hailed as one of the most important pieces of evidence of alien life.

The image, which caused excitement among UFO boffins, was captured by a visitor to Dudley Castle and is the latest in a string of sightings in the region.

In 2007 there were reports of a Dorito-shaped flying object which was spotted in Dudley and Wednesfield.

The photograph was sent to a detective constable, Gary Heseltine, who collects sightings of UFOs.

Anyone who may know what the Walsall object was, or who also spotted the mystery craft, should call our reporters on 01922 444320.