Enthusiasts flocked to see a mysterious crop circle in South England

Jamie Micklethewaite The Argus

Hundreds of alien enthusiasts have flocked to see a mysterious crop circle at an iconic landmark.

The circle, which shows a central star with outward chevrons, appeared on farmland near the Long Man of Wilmington, not far from the South Downs escarpment.

It was first spotted almost two weeks ago with scores of visitors heading to Wilmington to catch a glimpse of it.

Matthew Williams, who took an aerial photograph, said: “It’s a really good- quality circle.

“It appeared overnight so nobody’s sure who did it. Some people are saying it could have been done by aliens but I think it looks more human.”

A crop circle is a pattern created by flattening crops such as wheat and barley.

Often appearing at night, their origins are unknown, with some believing they are made by something out of this world such as flying saucers.

However, a farmer who ploughs land nearby ruled out extra-terrestrial activity. The man, who did not want to be named, said: “That’s a load of rubbish.

“It’s annoying. We get this every year and it’s always in a place that’s in public view but no one sees anything. Strange isn’t it?”

He slammed sight-seers who trespassed on farmland and affected business, adding: “I really wish people would not trample on our crops. There were a lot of people yesterday who trampled all over the crops going to see it. It sows the land up for next year as well so it doesn’t just affect this year’s crops.”

The Long Man of Wilmington is a 70ft chalk hill figure which is the tallest in the UK and one of the tallest in the world.

Sometimes known as the Wilmington Giant or the Green Man, the 69.2 metre figure was originally thought to have been created during the Iron Age but research has shown it was cut in the 16th or 17th century.

Another crop circle was spotted in Falmer, East Sussex, at the end of May this year. However, this circle was much less elaborate, only showing a single clockwise circle in barley.