With its furry complexion and different coloured eyes, this creature would look at home in any of the Star Wars films.

But the character is not a member of the chewbacca family - it is in fact a mascot for the 2012 Olympics.

The creature has been created by Mid Sussex District Council.

Every council in Sussex will be creating a ‘representative creature’ in the build up to the London games.

Mid Sussex council bosses say their “spectacular mythical hatchling” has been created to represent the area.

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

“It is important for us to view the creature through children’s eyes because it has been created with youngsters in mind.

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

The as-yet-unnamed creature will expand every year to eventually become a “giant mythical creature”.

It will soon be making appearances at sporting events across Sussex.

Created by Same Sky Community Arts Group in Brighton with funding from the Arts Council, Mid Sussex council is now appealing to the public to suggest a fitting name for the character.

It will be the latest in a long line of mascots in Sussex.

Brighton and Hove Albion has Gully, Sussex County Cricket Club has Sid the Shark and Crawley Town has Reggie the Red.