'Eye-shaped' crop circle found in farmer's field

A mysterious eye-shaped crop circle has been discovered in a farmer's field.

The round crop circle appeared in a field near Salisbury in Wiltshire, with astrophotographer Tom Malone, who visited the site, saying it is the fifth one he has seen this year.

Chair of the National Farmers Union in Wiltshire, Peter Shallcross, said they can be "troublesome" for landowners, adding: "It's very difficult to harvest a crop when it's on the ground. It won't mature properly."

Last year, Wiltshire Police warned people that creating crop circles without permission from a landowner amounts to criminal damage.

Shallcross added that it is not fully understood how crop circles are made.

"[We don't know] how the artists, as it were, make the design in the first place and then carry it out on the ground. When you're walking, it's out of perspective," he added.

This crop circle, which has since been removed, was in a field next to a public footpath, so there is footage online of it captured by drones.

Malone, who usually records the night sky, described it as a "beautiful" symmetrical crop circle, which he said was "more spectacular" than others he has seen.

Malone said he gets lots of different reactions to his crop circle photographs.

While some call it vandalism because of the damage caused to crops - a practice he said he "absolutely" does not condone - others view them as evidence of extraterrestrial life.

Shallcross warned that crop circles can attract trespassers, as people often want to view the designs.

However, he said it is important to inform the police, as many farmers are unaware that these incidents are taking place.

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson previously said: "While they might look impressive, creating a crop circle without the landowner's permission is criminal damage.

"These acts can cause serious short and long-term damage to crops and fields and may also attract further illegal activity."

Wiltshire is a crop circle hotspot, with the county having its own Crop Circle Visitor Centre.

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