Strange and unexplained happenings along the A23 in Sussex make it the most haunted stretch of road in Britain.

Most involve the sudden appearance of characters dressed in pale clothing but instances have been reported of a dog gliding across the road.

Motorists have often reported strange sightings along the road, which was a favourite haunt of highwaymen in the 17th Century.

One haunted stretch of road is Handcross Hill, south of Gatwick.

A new book, Haunted Land by Paul Devereux, has confirmed what many motorists and residents who live near the London to Brighton road have said for a long time -the road is spooked.

The author said the number of strange sightings made it the most haunted road in Britain.

He said: "There are several examples of lonely spectres treading the dark highways of the other world appearing in our world. The A23 in Sussex is particularly haunted."

Strange sightings in the past 25 years include a girl in a coat with no hands or feet who suddenly appeared near Hickstead. She ran across the road in front of a startled couple late at night but there was no impact and she just disappeared into the night air.

A motorist once reported a ghostly figure dressed in cricketing whites, while another said he saw a man in a short-sleeved shirt who staggered in front of a car and again vanished.

There have also been instances of figures all dressed in white suddenly dissolving in car headlights.

In February 1997, The Argus published a story about a golden labrador which appeared in front of a cab driver.