A giant maze which boasts three miles of puzzling pathways has been unveiled.

Designer Adrian Fisher, whose work includes mazes at Legoland in Windsor and Leeds Castle in Kent, has created the eight-acre design on farmland near Gatwick Airport.

With its Robin Hood theme, the complex pattern is cut from dense cattle maize and the operators claim it is one of the biggest in the world.

A team of 20 people has spent the last nine months working with Mr Fisher to turn his vision of a giant castle cut out of the crop into a reality.

The average family is expected to take just over an hour to reach the centre of the maze, where a fast exit will guide visitors out.

For those who struggle with its winding layout, staff will be stationed at six gallery bridges, which will also allow those inside to view the intricate web of pathways.

The maze is situated at Tulleys Farm at Turners Hill, near East Grinstead. A chartered helicopter carried photographers into the sky to see the full extent of the castle, called Living Art.

Stuart Beare, 34, who runs the commercial fruit farm and shop with his mother Marion, said: "The maze is basically an obscure farm diversification. It fits well with the cluster of enterprises that we have here. It's also great fun.

"We tried to come up with something people would feel they were entering, which is why it is themed as a castle.

"As you enter there is a Robin Hood/Sherwood Forest theme.

"If you know where you are going it takes about 15 minutes to walk to the centre, but we think it will take most people about an hour and a quarter.

"There is one path that appears to be taking you to the centre, but then leads away again.

"It has been a real challenge, not only to get it looking right from the sky, but also to make it work as a maze.

"We're pretty sure it is the biggest maze in the UK and possibly the world."

The walls are currently just over 4ft high but will grow to a maximum of 8ft within a couple of months.

Some school groups have already tried the maze, which is now open to the public. Tickets cost £4 for adults and £3 for children.

Mr Beare said: "It's a great experience and one that does not cost the earth."

In October, the maze will be cut down to make way for a new design.

Last year, Mr Beare created a smaller maze with a pirate ship theme.