The sudden appearance of 30 ‘no parking’ signs around a Petersfield industrial estate has caused confusion resulting in them having to be taken down.

Business owners know nothing about the signs, which were placed along Bedford Road by a private company on behalf of an unnamed client.

They threaten drivers with a £100 fine for not displaying a pay and display ticket or a parking permit, however no such tickets or permits exist for that road.

It also seems that the signs may have been attached to lampposts without permission from Hampshire County Council and will have to be taken down just two weeks after being put up.