A MYSTERIOUS phenomenon that has stumped scientists for centuries will be the talk of the town next week.

Crop circles - unexplained patterns which appear in fields - are a regular occurrence in Chorley, and experts claim they are on the increase.

Researcher Mark Hayward, a voice of authority on the subject, will give his views to a Lancashire UFO Society meeting on Monday.

Society chairman Tim Matthews said: "It will surprise many people to learn that villages like Bretherton, Parbold, Charnock Richard and Mawdesley have become a focal point for crop formations during the last five years."

The symbols appear, usually as complex circle and line patterns, in barley, rape seed and wheat fields and have yet to be explained by scientists or researchers.

Theories on their origins range from alien communication to hoaxes. Tim added: "It's known the vast majority are fakes. But Mark will be showing new colour slides of recent crop circles and thinks there is evidence of non-human intelligence at work.

"We're inviting local members and the public to keep an eye out. We've set up a CircleWatch line and we want local people to call us and, if possible, take photographs if crop circles appear."

The meeting will take place on June 1 at 7.30pm in Chorley's Union Street library. If you want more details, or spot a crop circle, call the society's local representative Alan Brotherton on 471005.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.