Villagers could hardly believe their eyes the sky was blue, the pond was green and there floating in it was a yellow submarine.

Locals and tourists were left scratching their heads when the mysterious vessel surfaced in Rottingdean pond.

As word spread, dozens of people gathered to see the submarine, which was apparently inspired by The Beatles song and film.

Until now, no one had a clue who the culprit was but today The Argus can reveal it was the mysterious Rottingdean Joker.

The joker, who is keen to remain anonymous, said: "There's so much doom and gloom around at the moment, I just wanted to put a smile on people's faces.

"I love Rottingdean and it was intended as a harmless bit of fun.

"I wasn't reckless. It was all carefully thought out. Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday and the yellow submarine rose from the pond on the same day."

It took the joker five hours to build the sub using fibreglass, wood, a canoe shell and a plastic periscope.

It was placed in the pond overnight and weighed down with bricks.

This was the latest in a long line of stunts involving the pond but, as the sub was removed yesterday, some said the tomfoolery had gone too far.

Paul Turner, of The Rotyngs, said: "Some years ago there were one or two practical jokes played in the pond but now it's got to a ridiculous stage.

"The villagers paid out thousands of pounds from their own pockets to have the lining replaced only a few years ago.

"It could easily have been broken and I think it's time to call an end to all of it."

Jean Talbot, Rottingdean Parish Council clerk, said: "We're trying hard to clear the weeds from the pond.

"We want it to be a nice village pond but it s difficult to get the city council to take us seriously when this is going on."

Asked if this was the end of his mischief, the joker refused to comment.