Commuters could find themselves rubbing shoulders with giant pandas tomorrow.

Staff from the WWF-UK offices will head for Lewes station disguised as pandas before catching a train to join other members of the wildlife charity.

Nine of the members will then travel to Calais, hitching free rides on public transport.

Fewer than 1,000 giant pandas survive in the wild and tomorrow's great escape will help raise money to protect the animals.

Lucy Young, WWF-UK's regional organiser, who will be one of the two Lewes pandas, said: "Everyone knows what a panda looks like but it would be a tragedy if they were lost from the world forever."

The WWF-UK is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.