Are sacred sites worldwide linked in a global geometrical grid of alignments? Glastonbury author Hugh Newman thinks so, and his new book, Earth Grids, investigates this awe-inspiring idea.

"The study of alignments exists in many cultures all around the world," said Hugh. "With Google Earth and my editor John Martineau's 'World Grid Program', the study of extremely long alignments, geometric grids and amazing correlations between ancient sites has become much easier and enabled researchers to discover a whole new – or ancient – world of secret patterns."

Hugh has studied the connectedness of sites in distance, degree, latitudes, longitudes and hidden codes within them. He says the grids appear to be an electromagnetic and geometric structure acting like a skeleton, or scaffolding, for the planet.

"Whether created by an overactive imagination, ancient alien astronauts or a lost 'energy technology', the idea of a grid around the planet has captured the imagination of those who obsess over ancient mysteries," Hugh said.

"The mystery deepens as you look further into its meaning, its possible uses and its place in the ancient historical context. UFOs have been shown to follow the lines of certain grid geometries. Stone circles, pyramids, dolmens and ancient mounds are found on them, but natural features such as waterfalls, mountains and volcanoes also link up into subtle geometries."

■ Earth Grids: The Secret Patterns of Gaia's Sacred Sites is published by Wooden Books at £4.99.