A BRIGHT light spotted by several concerned members of the public on North Berwick Law turned out to be a moth trap belonging to a researcher.

The fire service received calls from members of the public who thought there was either a fire on the Law or a person trapped there.

These reports have been described as false alarms with good intent.

The moth trap belongs to a group which traps the insects for research.

A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “On August 3 at 11.16pm we received a call from a member of the public who said they had seen a light on North Berwick Law.

“The light hadn’t moved in a while and they thought someone was trapped.

“We mobilised our line rescue team. When the first crew arrived they found an illuminated beacon and said it was a false alarm with good intent.”

Mark Cubitt, a moth recorder for East Lothian, confirmed that the light was from a moth trap operated by a butterfly conservation volunteer.

He told the Courier: “On several nights this summer a number of traps have been set on the Law to monitor some of the unusual species found on the rocky habitat.

“The traps use the light to attract moths and some of them fall into the trap and do not find their way out.

“Early the next morning, one of our moth experts identifies, counts and releases the moths unharmed.

“We apologise to the fire brigade for causing the inconvenience and are pleased they seem to have readily identified the source.

“We have now agreed with the council rangers that, in the future, we will call 101 to inform the emergency services of our operations in advance.”

Mark added: “Since moths are so widespread and found in so many different habitats, and are so sensitive to changes, they are particularly useful as indicator species.

“Monitoring their numbers and ranges can give us vital clues to changes in our own environment, such as the effects of new farming practices, pesticides, air pollution and climate change.”