Science fiction fan Keir Terry is so fascinated by the mystery of crop circles that he has had one shaved on his head.

Cynics may say crop circles are created by vandals but enthusiasts like Keir believe the strange markings that have appeared in fields all over England for years are signs aliens have visited our planet.

The impressions on Keir's head weren't left behind by extra terrestrials, though. They were put there by his brother Daren, a hairdresser.

Keir, 26, from Chichester, said: "I decided to have my head shaved with a crop circle on it because I thought it would be fun.

"I was brought up around farm land and ever since I saw a crop circle near Goodwood about seven years ago, I have been reading up about them.

"This weekend I am thinking of going to Stonehenge to see the one that is supposed to be there.

"A lot of people are cynical and say it's pranksters but some are just so precise there has to be more to it."

Keir's interest has been fuelled by Mel Gibson's latest film about crop circles called Signs, which is due to open in Britain next month.

The sci-fi thriller has made £120 million in its first three weeks at the US box office.

Keir had the crop shaven into his head at Daren's hairdressers, Lotus, in Argyle Road, Bognor.

Daren, 30, said: "I knew Keir was interested in this type of thing so I asked him if he wanted me to do the hair cut and he said yes.

"We did it last week and it is really excellent. It is actually quite difficult shaving circles into the hair and there were 12 on this one.

"It's not the first type of wacky hairstyle I've done. In the past I have created a Dalmatian, a globe and a millennium bug on people's heads.

"I don't know what it is about Bognor but any wacky or quirky phase that is going on people get involved.

Keir said: "People who saw it kept saying to me how mad I was and some even asked if I fell asleep in a field and woke up with my hair like that.

"Everyone seemed to know it was a crop circle. I might have a strange hairstyle done again but next time it would be a different design."