UFO buffs from all over the area are expected to flock to Bolton for a special conference on the unexplained.

Visitors from in and out of Bolton will be able to see video footage of strange incidents throughout the world and discuss close encounters nearer to home.

Museum chiefs have organised the conference to co-incide with a major new touring exhibition coming to the town towards the end of this month.

The Unexplained - Photographs of the Paranormal includes startling images claiming to be of UFOs, aliens, Nessie and Big Foot.

It has been a hit on other towns and museum chiefs are expecting a large number of visitors curious to see the strange photographs.

They have already had inquiries from UFO buffs living as far afield as North Wales about the conference.

Speakers include UFO Magazine editor Graeme W Birdsall and paranormal researcher Russel Callaghan and there will be a question and answer session when people can ask about strange happenings locally. A spokesman said: "Most people are interested in the unexplained and I am sure many will want to come along to make their own minds up if the photographs are fake or genuine."

About 200 places are available at the conference on February in the Museum lecture room and £6 tickets are available by sending a SAE and cheque to the museum.

The touring exhibition by Cartwright Hall Art Gallery and the National Museum of Film, Photography and Television in Bradford will run from January 23 until April 24.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.