Motorists could be forgiven for thinking they had strayed into a safari park after this warning sign appeared.

While drivers are used to seeing red triangle signs warning them about the risk of deer or cattle crossing, this one warns that a stray elephant may wander on to the road.

The elephant signs mysteriously appeared on the A275 between Sheffield Park station and Danehill, north of Chailey.

So far there have been no sightings of the jungle giants and the authorities do not know who put them up.

A spokesman for East Sussex County Council said: "I have not noticed any elephants in the area. I think someone is having a little joke.

"While we appreciate a joke, if this is on the highway, it could be distracting to drivers and should be removed.

"It appears to be on to a telegraph pole and I doubt if BT would be happy with that."