JAPANESE film-makers used the Wiltshire Times' offices as a backdrop for a documentary about mysterious crop circles.

We were the first British newspaper to publish a picture of the phenomenon, when three round shapes appeared in a field of oats under the gaze of the Westbury White Horse in 1980.

Film production co-ordinator Kanako Hiramoto, of English-based Japanese TV company Media Nations Inc Ltd, said: "We chose to film at the Wiltshire Times because of its connection with crop circles."

Although none of the paper's staff received a fee for their bit-part roles in the making of the documentary last week, other local people were paid £50 a day to appear as extras.

Filmmakers took five days to make the documentary, which will be broadcast in Japan on August 13.

The programme will centre on Doug Bower and his late friend Dave Chorley, who 10 years ago claimed they produced most of the hoax crop circles in the area. Mr Bower, 79, showed the film crew how he could still make a crop pattern using the same equipment as in the late seventies.

Using wire sights fastened to the peaks of baseball caps, the hoaxers trampled corn using wooden planks.

Experts dismissed the pair as a couple of cranks, but Media Nations Inc Ltd felt it was important to reconstruct their story. Ms Hiramoto said: "No one has really told Doug and Dave's story.

"Unfortunately Dave has died but we were still able to interview his friend.

"It is quite an amazing story."

Although crop circles have appeared in other countries, England, and Wiltshire in particular, is regarded as the home of the phenomenon. Accor-ding to specialised websites, more than 50 crop circles have been recorded in the England during 2003.

Many experts believe Wiltshire's rich history is the reason for the high numbers, which attract thousands of tourists, particularly from America and Japan who are fascinated by their annual appearance.

More on crop circles at Weird Wiltshire.