A bogus policeman pulling over motorists was arrested after stopping a car carrying four real officers.

The man, from Brighton, was in his car dressed in a police uniform when he overtook the unmarked car and forced it to pull over.

He then started giving the driver a "ticking off" about his driving before realising he had stopped plain-clothes officers returning from a call.

Sussex Police spokeswoman Sue Heard said: "This is just absolutely bizarre. And talk about unlucky - of all the cars he could have picked that night.

"The officers were returning to the station when they became aware of a vehicle that had overtaken them, indicated and told them to pull over. The individual approached the car and gave them a ticking off about their driving. That's when the officers made themselves known.

"The officers were taken aback and bemused because you just do not expect that. Nothing like this has ever happened in Brighton before as far as we're aware."

The man was arrested after trying to run away and was later released on bail.

The incident took place at 2.20am on Saturday as the officers were driving along the A23 near Patcham.

Police are appealing for anyone who believes they may have been a target of a bogus officer.

Call PC Dave Groombridge at Brighton police station on 0845 6070999 ext 59847.