A CROP circle which mysteriously appeared overnight next to the A1 in North Yorkshire had thousands of drivers rubbing their eyes.

There are many theories as to the origin of crop circles - alien artwork, a plasma vortex, secret military experiments or simply a few blokes with a plank and lengths of rope.

Whatever the truth, the organiser of a neighbouring music festival not far from Barton, near Scotch Corner, is putting his money on extra-terrestrials.

Jimmy Wilson-Petch, who staged the Rock in the Quarry event, revealed: "I talked to the farmer who owns the land and he knows nothing about how it happened," he said. "Maybe the festival was so out-of-this-world that we attracted some really far-out visitors."

One motorist was so impressed at the phenomenon that she arrived home in Barnsley only to collect her protesting husband before driving the 90 miles back to Barton so he could see it for himself.

Mark Evans contacted The Northern Echo after his wife spotted the circle while returning from visiting her parents in Newcastle. "She said it must have appeared overnight as she didn't see it on the way up on Friday," said Mark.

"Apparently, cars were stopping at the side of the road, so people could get out to get a better look."

Speaking minutes before setting back off for Barton, he added: "She's talked about nothing else since she got home. I've tried my hardest to get out of going but it's useless!"

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "We understand there have been quite a few people stopping to have a look.

"However, we would urge anyone driving past the site to ensure they keep their eyes on the road in front."