With its matted brown fur and blank staring eyes, the creepy creature would have looked at home in any of the Star Wars films.

But the character was, in fact, a mascot for the 2012 Olympics.

Every council in Sussex created a “representative creature” in the build up to the London games – and this strange-looking critter came from Mid Sussex in August 2009.

Council bosses insisted their “spectacular mythical hatchling” was the perfect choice to represent the area and inspire children.

Helen Bridgman, sports and healthy lifestyles officer, said: “Our puppet is a quirky woodland creature that reflects the rural nature of Mid Sussex and features a design style that gives the creature a character all of its own.

“The creature has already been embraced and enjoyed by local children and we hope to capture their imagination as it grows and evolves in the run up to London 2012.”

But the king and queen of scary Sussex puppets had to be Punch and Judy, a regular fixture on Brighton beach.

Mike “Sergeant” Stone, was Brighton’s resident Punch and Judy man from 1974 until his death in 2005.

Unlike most, he had a traditional theatrical background.

In an interview in February 2000 he said: “When I was young I had bigger roles, like Hamlet and Richard III. But I soon discovered I wasn’t much good at ensemble playing. I was too unpredictable, which used to confuse the hell out of the other actors.”

Nevertheless, he persisted, encouraged by an enthusiastic agent who believed his client was destined for the top.

But it was in Tesco in 1974 that Mike realised his future might not lie in treading the boards.

He said: “I’d been dressed as a Jaffa cake for two days, giving out free samples. Suddenly, the thought struck me: ‘Do I want to do this for the rest of my life? No – the traditional theatre is obviously not for me.’ I quit there and then.”

Soon after, Stone discovered that Brighton council was looking to hire a new Punch and Judy man.

The previous incumbent had died some 15 years before but, up until then, no-one had noticed.

Stone, now unemployed and hungry, decided he had nothing to lose and applied.

“I told them a little white lie: I said I actually was a Punch and Judy man,” he confessed.

“They fell for it and gave me the job. Of course I knew absolutely nothing about the show, so I went straight to the |public library and borrowed an ancient tome called ‘How to Perform Punch and Judy’.

“I read it and, with the help of a few friends, built the booth and all the puppets. It cost me about £150 to get it together.

“Then I set up on the beach, near the kids’ paddling pool, and started shouting at my own hands. I’ve never looked back.”

But Punch and Judy were not the only famous puppets in town.

In August 1998, TV puppet Sooty was given some friendly advice by the Mayor of Brighton and Hove on how to be a civic dignitary.

The children’s favourite had recently been made honourable Mayor of Blackpool on his 50th birthday. Now Sooty was planning to bid to become mayor of London as well.

Brighton and Hove mayor Francis Tonks met up with the cuddly character to offer his advice ahead of an appearance at the Theatre Royal.

Coun Tonks said: “He’s a bit short and fluffy to be a mayor, but if he learns to speak up a bit and get his face about, then I think he’s got what it takes.”