Kingdom considers an alien invasion

Have aliens visited Market Shipborough and left a message in a complex series of crop circles in a field? Oh yes they have, says local sci-fi buff Terry and sets about launching hot-air balloon rides so everyone can see them.

Oh no they haven't, says farmer Geraldine (guest star Sandi Toksvig), who owns the field and who wants Peter Kingdom to do something about this vandalism of her property.

But when Geraldine sees that her idea of trash is another's exciting chance to witness paranormal activity, she does the neighbourly thing and lets the dippy hippies camp on her land – for a fee – while they examine the crop circles.

Meanwhile, Peter's intrigued by pub landlord Ted's theories about what the crop circles could mean and is astounded by his knowledge of physics. How will Peter feel, though, when Dan, Terry's son, tells him his father insists he can hear aliens speaking on the radio?

Lyle Anderson has a case involving much more earthly matters – a battle between the council and an elderly couple who live like tramps with their flea-ridden dogs. The council wants to purchase the couple's property and they don't want to sell. His job's made all the more difficult by the very pretty Emily, who's working on the council's side.