A man has been arrested after a spate of damage to parking signs at the forest which inspired the One Hundred Acre Wood in Winnie The Pooh.

The 56-year-old was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage following a report of a car park sign being pulled off a wooden post and thrown into nearby bushes in Ashdown Forest on October 11.

He was interviewed and has been released on bail while the investigation is ongoing.

From November 2022 to October 2023, multiple reports have been received of parking signs being destroyed or damaged across the forest.

Ashdown Forest, near Forest Row, introduced parking charges last November after “lengthy public consultation”.

Since then many signs have been defaced and removed.

In recent weeks these incidents have increased in number and severity with signs removed from 18 car parks.

Inspector Andy Barker, of the Rural Crime Team, said: “The forest is one of the largest open areas in the South East and a safe space for our communities and visitors to enjoy all year round. We are dedicated to keeping it this way and take all reports of criminality seriously.”

Enquiries into the offences are continuing and anyone who witnesses any suspicious behaviour in the area, or who has any information relating to the damage, is asked to contact police online or by calling 101 quoting serial 47230200503.