FARMER Frank Edwards is hoping for a bumper crop of visitors to an extravagant circle which has appeared in one of his fields at Etchilhampton, near Devizes.

Mr Edwards, 79, of Manor Farm, Stert, has said all money raised from people visiting the crop circle will go to the Brighter Futures Appeal, which is raising money for a radiotherapy unit at the Great Western Hospital, Swindon.

He said: "We have had crop circles in our fields lots of times over the years and in the past we have always donated the money to Cancer Research.

"But we were approached by The Core Group Initiative who are asking farmers to raise money for the radiotherapy unit. I think it is a very good cause and will mean people don't have to travel so far for treatment. A number of members of our family have been affected by cancer."

His support of the NHS goes back to 1976 when his wife Shirley, 76, suffered a brain haemorrhage and was treated at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.

He said: "She received wonderful care."

Mr Edwards hopes to raise £1,000 for the radiotherapy centre by charging £3 per visitor. He said: "The crop circles do cause damage but if we can raise £1,000 and it costs us that much in lost crops then I will be happy.

"In the past when we have put out tins for people to leave a donation they have been stolen."

But this time people from the Core Group Initiative are going to man the entrance to the site which can been seen from the main A345 just past the Etchilhampton monument as you travel from Devizes towards Upavon.

Around £200 was raised at the weekend as people flocked to see the circle which is made up of a number of star shapes.

Farmer James Hussey, from Weir Farm, Broad Hinton, has also joined forces with the appeal and crop circle researcher Paul Jacobs after a bird-like crop circle appeared in his field.

Mr Hussey, 57, who lost his wife Gill to cancer last year, said the crop circle's location - metres away from the Ridgeway at Uffcott Down near Barbury Castle - had helped attract interested walkers, raising nearly £5,000 so far.

Mr Hussey, whose family have owned Weir Farm for 108 years said: "The crop formation just appeared one day and I've no idea why or how. The event appears to be an absolute mystery.

"What is absolutely fantastic is that around 1,600 people have seen it so far and have learned about the Radiotherapy Appeal. I know first-hand how important it is to have radiotherapy treatment locally - it's going to happen and I am enthused by Brighter Futures' fundraising appeal."

Mr Jacobs said: "After 15 years of looking at these things, and eight of which I have researched them very closely indeed, I can say with absolute confidence the origin of the vast majority of crop circles remains a complete mystery."

 

Jennifer Green, Brighter Futures' Head of Fundraising, said: "It is absolutely fantastic what James and Paul are doing for our Radiotherapy Appeal - I have been up to see the crop circle and it really is very impressive.

"This is another brilliant example of an innovative way to raise money being used to help bring life-saving treatment to Swindon."

The crop circle at Uffcott Down is due to be harvested tomorrow.

Find out more about the appeal - and make a donation - via the Brighter Futures website at www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk. People can also donate by texting SWIN29, followed by your donation of £5 or £10, to 70070.

A Just Giving site is also running at campaign.justgiving.com/charity/greatwestern/radiotherapy. Contact the charity on 01793 605631.