A SIGN of extra-terrestrial life or just an unusual marketing ploy?

Sorry to disappoint sci-fi fans out there, but these crop circles that have appeared in Cradley are very much from our world.

London-based borrowing and lending firm Zopa, commissioned the circles, which bears an uncanny resemblance to the company logo.

Spokesman Chris Goodman said the circles, the largest of which is 150 feet in diameter, was dreamt up as a tongue-in-cheek way to get itself noticed.

"As a fairly new company we're always trying to come up with ideas to grab people's attention," he said.

"Really it just came from a moment at my desk when I thought `doesn't our logo look like a crop circles?'"

Mr Goodman went ahead with the idea, enlisting the help of specialists Circle Makers and a local farmer who was willing for his land to be used.

Mr Goodman helped the experts create the circles using a `stalk stomper' device to flatten down areas of crops.

He said: "It took us about three hours to make and it was a bit wet, but it was good fun and very interesting."

Zopa offers an alternative to the expense of borrowing from banks by putting people who want to borrow money directly in touch with those who want to lend it.

The company previously offered free organic fruit and veg to new customers, and Mr Goodman said they were always thinking up new ideas.

He said: "Hopefully, it will grab us some attention, but the most important thing is we're having a bit of fun."