Meteors spark a flurry of 999 calls
A meteor shower sparked a flood of 999 calls across the region, with people claiming they had seen a plane crash, distress flares or fireworks in the sky.
Dramatic fiery streaks were seen last night across the West Midlands.
Staffordshire Police confirmed it had received a number of calls from 11pm, with varying descriptions of a cluster of bright lights.
The West Mercia force today said it had liaised with experts and could confirm it was an 'unexpected' meteor shower.
The meteor was seen by callers in Cannock and Four Ashes in Staffordshire. There were also dozens of emergency calls from people in Worcestershire and Shropshire.
The shower was visible across the UK, particularly in areas away from
Reports came in from across the UK, from areas as far flung as Northern Ireland and even Scotland.
A spokesman for Forth Coastguard in Scotland said: "Calls came in from all over the place, thick and fast. We've had people report possible plane crashes, and others the weirdest fireworks they've ever seen.
"Folk just haven't known how to describe what they've seen. It's quite extraordinary."
Staffordshire Fire Service said it was aware of the shower but saw no need to send out engines, given the nature of the call.
