An amorous pheasant has become obsessed with a golf course lawnmower and spends its days running at full pelt behind it.

It even runs in front of the chopping blades as it tries to gain the shiny red machine's attention.

The male pheasant appeared at Hollingbury Park Golf Club, Ditchling Road, Brighton, about three weeks ago and has become quite a celebrity with its Roadrunner-style antics among the golfing fraternity.

As soon as one of the greenkeepers strikes up the engine of the sit-on red Huxley Three 58 Greensmower, the colourful bird pops out of the bushes and springs into action.

Jason Stone-Pierce, deputy head greenkeeper, said: "It only chases this one machine. It's really weird.

"Perhaps it likes the sound or pitch of this particular machine. We've got other machinery but it ignores those and only chases this one."

Mr Stone-Pierce, who has worked at the course for about nine years, said: "I've got no idea why he chases it but he just appears from the bushes.

"He doesn't like dogs though and runs off if he sees one."

The game bird likes to tour most of the holes on the course including one, two, three, six, seven eight and also 16 and 17 but the lonely heart steers well clear of the 18th hole.

Mr Stone-Pierce said: "For some reason it loves this machine. I thought it fancied me but it chases the other guys too - but only when they're using this machine.

"It's a bit of a nutty bird. I do talk to him and he's quite tame. He's quite good company really."

The bird has been nicknamed 'Nuisance' by workers.

They think he is possibly feeling under par because he does not have a mate.

Mr Stone-Pierce said: "I feel sorry for him when I go for lunch and he's left there all lonely."