When housewife Sharon Rowlands filmed what appeared to be a UFO flying over her tiny Derbyshire village, little did she realise what rewards the footage would bring her.
The 6-and-a-half-minute tape has been snapped up by an American TV company for more than £20,000.
Mrs Rowlands can also be proud of the knowledge her film is being ranked as one of the best pieces of UFO video footage ever shot.
California-based Kiviat Productions, which snapped up the film, is currently negotiating with TV networks across the world to show the tape as part of its 'Could It Be True?' Series - but not before officials from NASA are given a preview.
Mrs Rowlands (44), who lives with husband Hayden (45), said: "I've watched UFO programmes and if there is such a thing, this is as good a photograpgh as you're going to get.
I was a complete and utter disbeliever but seeing this has made me think twice.
It was huge and through the lens it looked like it was going to hit me. I couldn't believe it - it's like nothing else I've ever seen."
The tape has been locked in a bank vault since her chance filming on October 5 last year, with a camcorder which she had received only days earlier as a gift.
Kiviat executive producer Robert Kiviat (40) found Mrs Rowlands' film while scouring the internet.
He said: "This is one of the top five pieces of video footage of UFOs ever taken.
The Rowlands are just a couple living in a remote area with no agenda and no previous experience in UFO videos - they just appear to have had their camcorder out at the right time."
A Meteorological Officer spokesman said there were no freak weather conditions on October 5 which could have caused the circular shape in the sky.
Mrs Rowlands' footage capped a hive of activity in Bonsall which has seen villagers reporting 19 UFO sightings in just four months leading up to last October.
UFO enthusiast Omar Fowler founded the Derby-based Phenomenon Research Association 10 years ago and has been tracking UFOs since the 1970s.
He believes Bonsall is right up there with the foremost UFO hotbeds - including Mexico city, the USA, and Fleetwood in Lancashire.
Mr Fowler said: "I viewed Mrs Rowlands' tape and I was amazed at what I saw.
I consider it to be one of the most important sightings of recent years - comparing very well with a recent clip from Mexico - and it typifies activity in Bonsall."
Mr Kiviat said he will show the tape to NASA optical physicist Dr Bruce Macabbee.
"The Rowlands' tape will shock a lot of people because the image shown is the same as one taken by NASA's own cameras showing what appears to be a UFO hovering in space, maybe three miles wide,"Mr Kiviat said. "
A Farshores 'thank you' to James Ross chip_00449@email.com , who sent in the story via e-mail.
