More than 100 residents from Crick and Yelvertoft climbed Cracks Hill, situated between the two villages, last Thursday, in conjunction with the Spring Equinox, to mark the initial stage of a project that would see the first new stone circle created in England for hundreds of years.

At lunchtime pupils from Crick and Yelvertoft Primary Schools took a temporary monument, made out of paper and willow, up the hill to represent one of the 20-tonne stones and marker poles were used to layout the proposed site. In the evening villagers watched as a UV light shone onto the markers, before a beacon was lit.

The unique event was designed to raise the profile of the standing stone project, which was granted planning permission from Daventry District Council in 2005.

It has been backed by the East Midlands Arts Council as well as other organisations, with half of the £50,000 needed already raised.

Pete Thornley, who is the artist responsible for the venture, said: “We will now be approaching big corporate people who may be interested in supporting the project.

“The stones will stand on the top of the hill and hopefully the community will become very proud of them.”

Keith Liggins, chairman of the Friends of Cracks Hill, said: “The stones will be very interesting and create something historical for the future.”

It is hoped the project will be complete by 2010.