Talk about catching the ice skating bug.

A wag with a ladder defaced this sign on the front of the Brighton Centre and offered passers-by the chance to try "pubic lice skating" sessions.

The centre is about to stage the annual Holiday On Ice show and had opened the rink to the public.

Peter Emmerson, of Medina Villas, Hove, spotted the modified sign yesterday shortly before 9am.

The 31-year-old, who works in marketing for Equity Travel in Middle Street, said: "I was walking to work and noticed the wonderful handiwork of a local comedy genius.

"I don't think anyone else had noticed."

A spokeswoman for the centre said: "Somebody was obviously having a joke. During the night, someone managed to get up a ladder and changed the wording."

Holiday On Ice begins on Thursday.