A Sussex pub has been condemned for appearing to mock the Glasgow helicopter tragedy with a sign saying it was “100% helicopter proof”.

The Red Lion in Wadhurst put up the sign over the weekend and it was removed today.

The landlord was not available to speak to The Argus but a member of staff apologised.

He said to The Argus this afternoon: “It was obviously a badly planned joke.

“That’s all I can really say.”

He said no one had come into the pub to complain but as soon as he was aware of complaints online he took the sign inside.

“I want to apologise,” he added.

The sign was spotted by Tony Gale who took a picture of it this afternoon.

He branded the sign “idiotic” and “tasteless”.

He added: “I actually feel slightly bad because I like the pub and it needs some support, but he’s made a big mistake with that sign.”