LEMMINGS, a beaver and a skunk are on the loose – if a series bizarre of lost pet posters are to be believed.

Passersby walking along New Church Road in Hove have spotted several posters appealing for information on the animals’ whereabouts.

One of the animals is a missing beaver - named “Justin Beaver”. The poster reads: “I have lost my pet beaver. Its name is Justin and it is probably the nicest beaver I have ever seen.

“My pet beaver works in construction by the river Adur at weekends.”

Another poster appeals for information about a missing skunk called Funky. The poster reads: “Lost – Funky. Long before you catch a glimpse of Funky, you’ll be able to smell him.

“He wears way too much Lynx Africa like so many men do and cares little for the environment and its ozone layer.

“He is instantly recognisable by the white stripe down his back and the love heart tattoo on his right buttock.

“Please call Pete Stinks.”

The posters are followed by made-up phone numbers. One passerby, Caroline Sutton, said: “I’ve no idea who has done them – they just made me laugh on the way to work. And nice to have a giggle as a respite from all the bad news at the moment.

“My walk started from Wish Road – there may be others on the stretch from Wish Road to Boundary Road. There was another one about a giraffe and possibly more.”

One poster is for a lost koala called Matilda. It reads: “Matilda is my five-year-old koala. I lost her last week while I was talking to neighbours.

“She is very sleepy, a fussy eater, and suffers from chlamydia. But she is on medication for that. I am also being treated for the same disease. We are very close.”

There is also a poster for a missing lemming.