ALTHOUGH drivers on roads running through common land around Malvern have long known to be careful about sheep or cattle wandering across the road, there has never been a problem with roaming penguins.

However, some fun-loving prankster has arranged to make it seem a hazard, by altering this road sign on the B4211 Guarlford Road heading from the Rhydd to Malvern.

The cattle silhouette which formerly graced the sign has been covered up and replaced with the penguin image.

Gazette reader Steph Underwood-Webb spotted the altered sign on Monday evening as she was driving back to Malvern from Cheltenham.

She said: "I drove past. I thought for a moment. I drove back. Yup, I wasn't wrong. I then drove more carefully than ever before - just in case, you know? Just in case."

Although the Highway Code list a number of official warning signs regarding wildlife, including one warning of migrating frogs, a penguin does not feature among their number.

The penguin is indigenous to the southern hemisphere and are unlikely to be roaming wild in the Malvern area; the nearest penguins are likely to be found at the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham and the West Midlands Safari Park in Bewdley.

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council, which is in charge of highways, says that the sign will be restored to its former condition.