The boss of a top car showroom is hoping a local supergrass will lead him to the thieves who have stolen the new turf from his company's forecourt.

Malcom Hance, director of Riverdale Mercedes in Victoria Road, Portslade, is turning into a Sherlock Holmes to track down the thieves.

A total of 260 new turfs were laid at the showrooms as part of a landscaping scheme.

Despite CCTV cameras and an all-night security team, staff were amazed when they arrived at work to discover the turf had been stolen.

Mr Hance had a sign made saying "Are you a grass?" and telling people to phone 01273 707070 with information.

But that was also stolen by a gang of giggling girls who ran off down the road with it, chased by a security guard.

Now the company has had to train a CCTV on the new sign and keep it there for when the replacement turf arrives.

Mr Hance said: "We have a good security record but I can't believe a piece of grass is not safe from thieves. Then even the sign gets stolen as well."