Star Is Closet Croppie

Shapely Hollywood sex symbol Goldie Hawn has been staying near Wiltshire to size up this year's crop circle collection.

Goldie,54,famous for her roles in films such as Private Benjamin,has been staying in Marlborough to indulge her passion for the mysterious patterns.

During her stay,Goldie and a party of fellow Americans took to the sky to view the spectacular circles at Avebury and the numerous other formations in the area.

One crop circle expert believes Goldie could do worse than choose the phenomenon for her next box office blockbuster.

Francine Blake,also 54,of the Wiltshire Crop Circle Study Group,said "I think this subject would make for a wonderful film.

"All the elements are there.I'm not too sure about who would star in it but we are looking at concrete reality.No-one can deny these circles exist.It is just a question of interpretation.To be honest,I'm surprised there hasn't been more interest.It is mind boggling."

The Hollywood star checked in at the Ivy House Hotel in Marlborough before enjoying her tour.

Staff at the hotel were initially sceptical that they would be welcoming Goldie Hawn.

Manager Julian Ross said "We thought it was a hoax at first.We had a call from the Dorchester in London.We had to ring back to find out if it was true.She only stayed for one night and she wasn't over-demanding."

It was the hotel's understanding that the film star was in town to indulge her crop circle curiosity.

While Hollywood may be falling in love with the wonder of Wiltshire crop circles,those closer to home are most certainly not.

Wiltshire farmer David Sheppard said whatever their origins,the real nuisance caused by crop circles was the sightseers they attracted.

Fellow farmer Robin Butler said those responsible for the crop circles seemed to think they had licence to simply roam across fields.

Mrs Blake believes the farmers accusations that hoaxsters are responsible simply do not add up.

"If you look at the detail of these circles,how could they be put together in the middle of the night?"

"It is ludicrous.It is a measure of people's ignorance and their naivity that they blame it on people having a prank" she said.