A barmy man sent cops on a UFO hunt when he dialled 999 to report 'a bright stationary object' in the sky - and it turned out to be the moon.

The confused caller told the emergency operator the huge mystery shape had been hanging in the sky for at least half an hour.

A patrol car was scrambled to check out the report in the South Wales valleys - and found it was a particularly bright moon.

The recording of the bizarre call was released by South Wales police yesterday to highlight the timewasters who dial 999.

It begins with the Control Room answering the caller - who is not being identified for fear of becoming an object of ridicule in his community - saying: 'South Wales Police, what's your emergency?'

Caller: "It's not really. I just need to inform you that across the mountain there's a bright stationary object."

Control room: "Right."

Caller: "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."

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

Caller: "It's in the air."

Control: "I will send someone up there now to check it out."

Caller: "OK."

Within a few minutes a police patrol arrives at the scene - and the tape reveals the exchange between the control room and the officer sent to the scene.

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

Officer: "Yes, it's the moon. Over."

A South Wales Police spokeswoman said: "This is a recent, genuine example of an inappropriate 999 call.

"A caller reported a large bright object in the sky above their home and further investigation found that this object was in fact the moon.

"We can all see the comical side but calling 999 with an unnecessary non-emergency call could block a genuine call for vital seconds and put lives at risk."

Chief Inspector Jay Dave said the force was trying to cut down on time-wasting and bogus calls.

Earlier this year they changed the 999 greeting from "South Wales Police how can I help?" to the more American "South Wales Police what is your emergency?"

Chief Insp Jay added: "The aim was to make callers think carefully whether their call is an actual emergency - and the move seems to be working with 14,000 less 999 calls this year so far."

The switch was made after the force control rooms experienced an extremely busy period which saw a stream of inappropriate 999 calls.

Others included someone asking for help voting for Rhydian on TV's X-Factor and a shopper asking for a pound coin for their supermarket trolley.