TO some they are mysterious phenomena caused by forces unknown.

To others they are the work of hoaxers trying to trick the public.

Whatever the reason, Northwich has got its first crop formation of the year.

"It was spotted by a social worker from Yorkshire who was out walking his dog," explained expert Eric Morris.

"He got in touch with us and we went down to have a look. We've had reports in the past but by the time we've been there, the farmers cropped them."

The formation, in a field just off Hough Lane in Anderton, consists of two circles, each about 25ft in diameter, connected by a thin line.

"It's quite an interesting example because the left hand circle has clockwise and anti-clockwise spirals," added Eric, who investigates formations as far afield as Wiltshire.

And he's adamant that neither aliens nor hoaxers are behind the discovery.

"They're probably not hoaxes because they're normally very visible. If you were going to manufacture one, you'd do it where people could see it.

"It could have been caused by one of these whirlwinds."

Eric, who lives in Northwich, believes that the circles are created when hot and cold air meets.

The warm air forces the moisture in the cold air downwards into a spiral shape. As the funnel spins faster it reaches lower and lower until it touches the ground, where the circular motion flattens the corn.

And whirlwinds aren't that uncommon in this country. Just a couple of weeks ago, a Birmingham suburb was rocked by a twister strong enough to lift garden furniture high above the ground.

"If people do see more of these, we need to hear from them," added Eric. "We want to examine the formations and take soil samples and crop samples."

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