That's not a UFO you lunatic ... it's the moon, boyo

Bright, silver and disc-shaped, it hung in the night sky over South Wales, emitting an eerie light.

Hovering above the mountains, the object blotted out the stars.

Baffled, one local rang 999. In minutes police reached the scene and the mystery was solved.

It was the moon. Today officers released a transcript of the conservation to highlight the time wasted by unnecessary and bogus 999 calls:

"South Wales police, what's your emergency?"

"It's not really. I just need to inform you that across the mountain there's a bright stationary object." "Right." "If you've got a couple of minutes perhaps you could find out what it is? It's been there at least half an hour and it's still there."

"It's been there for half an hour. Right. Is it actually on the mountain or in the sky?"

"It's in the air." "I will send someone up there now to check it out." "OK."

The transcript then records the conversation between the control room and the officer on the scene .

"Alpha Zulu 20, this object in the sky - did anyone have a look at it?"

"Yes, it's the moon. Over." A spokeswoman for South Wales police said: "We can all see the comical side, but an unnecessary call could block a genuine one and put lives at risk. This was a recent example." The force has changed its 999 greeting to "South Wales police, what is your emergency?"

Chief Inspector Jay Dave said: "The aim was to make callers think carefully whether it is an emergency."

Other bizarre 999 calls received by the force include someone asking for help in voting for Rhydian on The X Factor.